Minnesota Outdoorsman
Minnesota - Specific Areas => Bemidji- Blackduck- Cass Lake- Upper Red Lake => Topic started by: cookie on December 12/07/14, 07:46:34 AM
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Its that time of year .Dug the houses out of the woods last week. 4 feet of snow had blown in off the lake. I had to have david come over with loader as there was just to much snow to move. I think what little snow we have had all ended up on our lake shore.
Blue thunder two arrived friday evning and we got her unloaded. saturday we spent the day working out a few bugs and installing the plow. It was then time to give her it first test moving houses and plowing. It did not take long two find another hiccup with the rearend,we were able to add some gear oil after having to drill a hole in the cover as the filler plug would not budge. It seems fine now but will have to keep a eye on it..
Round two and we were off with florida .I took it out past the first break and then came back for old minnesota. I took old minnesota out to 8 feet of water where we measured 16 inches of clear ice. Then Jeff and I set her up for the evning bite. I got jeff and shell chick set up just before dark. It was a bit slow but we managed 5 with 3 being keepers before I came off the lake. Lets hope the rattle wheels kept them up all night.
The guys in the cabin over the weekend have done welll and have had walleye for dinner two nights in a row.They were going to fish well after dark last night so I will see how they did later this morning. Man were there people on the lake yesterday had to be 200+
I ll have montana out on the ice later today and all three houses will be ready to start the season
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Looking forward to a Red Lake trip.
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Same here
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I plan on getting up there this winter so I'll be in contact with you cookie!
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Headed over to hillmens to help clean up the snow and build the burm to the south of buddy's road with blue thunder 2.
Things started off well as I pushed the snow to the south. Just as I was arriving at the end of the road blue thunder died? Odd I thought and she fired right backup. A few minutes later and again she died? Darn another hiccup. Seems likes its not getting any fuel. I kept at it for a couple hours with it dying off and on the whole time very frustrating. I decided to limp her home before Buddy had to tow me. After taking a look the fuel pump lines are next to impossible to get to arrrr!! I headed to blackduck for a fuel pump and today will try and replace fuel pump. I have until Friday to set up the houses as all three are rented Friday night. I did not talk to any fishermen out of hillmens so no fish report .I did talk to Phil a local and he tried a new location with poor results allthough he was not fishing out of hillmens
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No offense cookie but url is a long haul to fish with a 17"to 26" protected slot pretty much a catch and release lake since 12/1 eh?
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i disagree... not many places you can go and catch the quantity of fish, and nice ones, get your "shore lunch" and bring home fish. my house is still on the lake.
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we kept perfect eatters last time we were there. it is a long haul, but IMO completely worth it. not many places you can go and bang walleyes like that over and over again. keeping them is a plus, but I honestly don't care to keep many anyways
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we kept perfect eatters last time we were there. it is a long haul, but IMO completely worth it. not many places you can go and bang walleyes like that over and over again. keeping them is a plus, but I honestly don't care to keep many anyways
Yah Cody that,s got it!! For the cherished walleye its the best!! Even people who cant catch many score heavily on Red. Have a friend who just got back with the scrawny limit! They didnt take the last fish for a day just to have fun cat-chin so many! They had fun! Fine lake to take some kids or start out fishin people! Cant beat it!
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Headed over to hillmens to help clean up the snow and build the burm to the south of buddy's road with blue thunder 2.
Things started off well as I pushed the snow to the south. Just as I was arriving at the end of the road blue thunder died? Odd I thought and she fired right backup. A few minutes later and again she died? Darn another hiccup. Seems likes its not getting any fuel. I kept at it for a couple hours with it dying off and on the whole time very frustrating. I decided to limp her home before Buddy had to tow me. After taking a look the fuel pump lines are next to impossible to get to arrrr!! I headed to blackduck for a fuel pump and today will try and replace fuel pump. I have until Friday to set up the houses as all three are rented Friday night. I did not talk to any fishermen out of hillmens so no fish report .I did talk to Phil a local and he tried a new location with poor results allthough he was not fishing out of hillmens
Hey cookie ever tried a electric fuel pump?? Bet it will solve yer problems and last longer with better results of a mechanical pump! super easy to install to!
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Replace the fuel filter first
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well the good news it was the fuel filter and I did not have to try and replace fuel pump. I have ran a electric pump on blue thunder for years and seemed to have to replace them once a year. If the manual pump goes out I will have to go electric as its impossiblee to get the lines off the way its set up now. I do have a racing pump but also need a regulator as I hooked it up without and had gas running out the top of the carb, I still can not beleave it did not catch fire when all that gas was flowing over the top after taking it for a test drive.
As far as slot they say there plenty of keepers in here .I do have concerns as the only weekend I'm totally booked is over the new year. Buddy Hillmen also said he was not getting many calls at this time.
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If fuel is blowin out the carb the check valve aint sealing.With a mechinal pump you may not notice it much a elec pump will blow it out.That should be looked into.
What make truck and engine? I dont do that work anymore but stay a bit up on it.Hows it so hard to get to?
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The racing pump I installed was years ago and it said to have a regulator but I did not have one. That was on a 3/4 ton 82 chevy. The new truck is a 84 chevy 4x4 350. The fuel pump is inbetween the engine block and frame rail. There is a bracket witch I beleave is a smog pump in front of fuel pump and that it also in the way and would had to be taken off. Then the fuel line that goes to the carb is under neith the pump with no way to get a standar wrench on it, Getting the two bolts off the fuel pump are easy but no finger room to start the bolts once its removed.
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No offense cookie but url is a long haul to fish with a 17"to 26" protected slot pretty much a catch and release lake since 12/1 eh?
For me the trip to Red Lake has nothing to do with how much meat I can bring home. I love everything about the trip, the landscape around Red Lake, the remoteness of it, and of course the fishing. Every trip has been a great adventure and I always look forward to the next trip.
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No offense cookie but url is a long haul to fish with a 17"to 26" protected slot pretty much a catch and release lake since 12/1 eh?
For me the trip to Red Lake has nothing to do with how much meat I can bring home. I love everything about the trip, the landscape around Red Lake, the remoteness of it, and of course the fishing. Every trip has been a great adventure and I always look forward to the next trip.
Same here and Cookie is a great guy. I just enjoy getting away.
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I gave blue thuinder2 another good workout yesterday. All three houses are now on the other side of the burm. Gene and a buddy are arriving this morning for old minnesota. Talked to Hoagie and his buddy they had there 6 and were still fishing. I told them they were not allowed to fish with 6 so they gave me a nice 16incher I brought home for a fish sandwich for lunch, Lettuce tamato tarter sauce on a dried out hoagie bun and it was one of the best fish sandswiches I ever had.
After lunch went and had Gary the farmer I work for weld a couple broken welds on my plow and then prepped old minnesota for Gene. Pang is coming for florida and montana friday evning. Kevin and his buddies will be up friday and staying at the cabin . They are going to do some extra scoutting for me so will see how that goes.Lol
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Really?? Its all aboht the fish. Its to long of a haul to not bring home 1 extra fish 3"bigger. Wow! I went ther with my daughter this last weekend. We had a blast, had a fifty fish even saturday. I even caught a rock. Just to add to the memory of the trip. We gourge ourselves on our six fish with other family memebrs in kelliher and brought home our limit on sunday. Six georgous red lake walleyes. That 12 felletes that cook up so even and delicate. Its the best. But i guesse its not good enough for some. Mabe those people can go further to LOW and bring home a limit of dink saugs and eyes. Samevolume but far less numbers. Get real.
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Sue and Gene came down from lake of the woods and fished old minnesota from 8:30 tell 4 and got there 6 plus a couple over 17. Neal and his two buddies also came down from lake of the woods. They arrrrived around noon and fished florida. ,After I checked them in I was headed in to take carb off of auger as she was spitting ang sputtering when i was augering the holes in florida. I jumped in blue thunder2 and hit the key and all I got was a click. Must have a dead spot on starter,having Neal hit the key while I hit the starter with a pipe she fired up . The sweethart will have to pick up a starter in blackduck today. Pang and his group have florida and montana tonight and Julie and her family have old minnesota for the weekend. All 3 houses will stay where they are as none have been fished after dark.
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JUlie and Gene have had consistant fishing in old minnesota, Peng,Molly,Yoo and Nadide fished florida friday night. They arrived around 8 30 pm and fished untell noon today. I little slow for them. They did miss a few and only landed a couple. They set up there portable for the rest of the day just a few yards from florida and had a little fluurrie around 3. Molly served me a asian dish and I had her send me the receipe chicken lettuce wraps very good.
Garret was in montana last night and had only caught one fish when I checked in on him. He plans on staying around today and fishing montana after I move it. Kevin, Phil, Max, Trent and I headed out yesterday morning to do a little scoutting. The first place we fished At the crack of dawn Max,Kevin and I each landed a 14 inch walleye. I yhink it was the same one all three times. I then headed over to fill the generators while they headed out deeper to spend the day scoutting. They found the mother load later yesterday with Kevin landing a elusive yet still catchable 16 inch crappie. He planns on getting it mouted and it was a beautiful fish. I will be traveling to that spot this morning on a wheeler to see if its possible to get the shacks into that area. I lettle nervouse with all the standing water on the lake and most of the snow meltted away. I'll measure some spots as we go and look at others before I take the houses that far. It will be interesting to see where they take me as I explained it had to be a area I cann get to. I was way happy with the first place we fished and will have that spot as a second choice.
Gary and his crew of 5 had 5 keepers where they were fishinng. Standing out on the lake enjoying the day they were happy with there catch as Gary said when ws the last time you could stand out on the ice this time of year and catch a few fish with good friends and family.
Roger and his crew of three had 6 in the pail and had caught quite a few over the slot. I escorted Matt out friday evning and I think he said they got 7 over night.
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Headed out to new area at the crack of dawn with Kevin and his crew. With all the fog I'm not quite sure where were at other then north west of hillmens road. It will be interesting to see the shoreline once the fog breaks. I moved florida and montana into the area. I did find 15 to 17 inches of ice and I think with these temps we may of lost a inch of ice if not a little more.
Garret went to westwind for breakfast while I moved montana and seemed way happy about the move his plan was to fish untell dark last night before heading home. He had some great fishing and said he could not keep two lines down at one point.
Cody and his crew arrived for florida around three. I had to load up blue thunder with snow to bank the house as there is no snow left on the lake . When I talked to them at 8 they were catching fish so all was good, the fog was so bad I decided not to check in on them if they were ok.
Today I will dig minnesota out and haul her out in that area, I then will move montana a few yards to put it on fresh ice. With those two houses open I will block them up and worry about banking them later this week. I also need to load up blue thunder with some more snow to bank florida before this weather turns cold.
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Cody and his group are doing well and happy with florida. I got minnesota moved over into the area and now have all three houses on fresh ice. With montana and minnesota open all week I turned off the heat . I'm liking the area I'm at and will work it hard untell the fishing gets bad. Its way easy to get to in all conditions. The temps have dropped and what water is on the lake is glazing over. Floridas banking will turn to solid ice but thats just the way it is. I will head out later to check on the guys. They had odd/different names and I can not remember them at this time.Yesterday I told them to fish all the holes that Kevin and his crew augered they took my advise with the balmy weather and one of the guys landed 4 elusive yet still catchable per red lake crappies. I wanted a pic but they ate them.
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Around 4 yesterday I popped the hood on blue thunder to see if I could take hoses off of heater core and flush as the heat is not working as well as it should. I did notice I have been losing a little antifreeze and thought the over flow tank may have a crack. The hoses looked like they are corroded on pretty good and the clamps were in bad shape. With no clamps I decided I would have to wait tell I had parts on hand as a simple job looked like it could be trouble. I then headed down to the lake shore to load up some snow for banking . Heading out on the lake and the cold and wind have firmed upp the last of the standing water .Good ol mother nature working for us. When I arrived to the pressure ridge I noticed the heat was blowing cold air but the temp gauge was around 180. The plan was to keep a eye on the gauge ,check in with the guys and get back home asap. When I arrived at florida I made the mistake of leaving the truck running, when I came back out she was pegged and spewing. I shut her down and with the flash lite in hand found a hole in the radiator, I also got a taste of antifreeze in the mouth laying undeneith. With the wind howling I had Cody bring me to shore, the fishing has been slower in the house then when they were hole hopping but that's to expected. They figured they landed 25 all day witch in my book is good fishing. They got spoiled hole hopping. The banking on florida is hard as a rock or ice. Good ol mother nature. It was nice too see a few flurries on the ground this morning and with mother natures help we may get some drifting snow around the houses by the weekend. I will spend the morning looking for a radiator then go top off blue thunder and limp her home for repairs . Old blue thunder has what I need but is 200 miles away in pine city.
Hillmen's road will be in great shape with all the melting and now refreezing. Buddy Has it marked 6 miles out with the pressure ridge stopping us from heading west at this time.
Last night I counted 3 trucks out there fishing so real quiet on the lake out of hillmens
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WOW what a beautiful morning it was on the lake. I headed out to florida to say goodby to Cody,Thane,Gabe Kaleb. The fishing was slow for them last night all though Cody and Gabe had a portable about 50 yards away and hammered them. Since they stayed 3 nighs it would of been nice to move them on to fresh ice yesterday but my repairs on blue thunder did not go as well sa I expected. I twistted the transmission line and now have to also repair that. I have a radiator coming from mpls and need to make a run to Bemidji when it comes in.
Lee and Carl are on there way up and Lee will be helping me bank minnesota,montana and florida for a couple free nights of fishing, we will also move florida. I also have a two man house on shore that needs some beefing up and I then can get it out there North Carolina will be its name. David is on his way over to help me get my bridge out of the woods and then were going to go get hillmens bridge out of the woods as it looks like we will need two to get over the pressure ridge.
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Lee and Carl arrived around 3 yesterday and I sent them out to bank minnesota by hand. I moved a little snow around with the v-plow on red baron earlier when I was cleaning florida(I still gt a kick out of vacumming the fish houses) so they have some to work with. They also augered the holes and will fish and relaxe untill today when I put them to work. They had three keepers when I talked to them at 6 and were going to have fresh walleye for dinner. I drove the 1 ton out there yesterday, the red baron ,I went nice and slow and had no issues. I only drove where I have been driving to the houses. Theer were a few fishermen out of hillmens but very quiet out there. Buddy Has scoped out the pressure ridge and has a plan once we need to go further west. For now the fishing is still good a mile out. All though one of the spots we scoutted last week we were the closest fishermen to shore and we landed 3 at the crack of dawn before we moved.
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Lee and Larry stayed in montana last night and I went out and had duinner with them .I caught a jumbo jumbo perch and 1 keeper walleye while visitting. They had fish for lunch yesterday. It was nice of Lee to clean fish outside instead of the fish house. I headed over to Gary's and welded up some ends for north carolina and Lee and I beefed up the ends. I hope to haul her out once I have blue thunder running again and will have a two manWe had a very productive day yesterday. Lee and Larry not Carl, banked montana and florida with snow shovels as blue thunder is still down. We moved florida next to minnesota for Frank and his crew that will be here this morning around 8am, I will be heading out shortly to auger the holes in minnesota and florida. sleeper. I then headed to bemidji to get radiator and transmission cooler which I will install today.
The road and Ice is in great condition. Stay away from the pressure ridges as there unstable
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At one point yesterday both the red baron and blue thunder were down ugg. The red baron was a esy fis as the starter connection went bad and I had no ignition. A two hour fix and she was up and running. Blue thunder on the other hand has turned into more of a project.I had a charlie brown moment and installed the trans cooler on the wroung side of the radiator, I had to improvise reeasttaching it as I ruin the four clips that came withthe kit. Then the bottom trans line broke in the new radiator ugg again. I will have time to work on it again today and hope to have it up and running for my nightly rounds.
Jim amd Mark checked into montana and have had slow fishing with only 2 keepers and two jumbo perch ,they plan on using there portable today and fish a rock pile that Jim found a few years back if they can get there. Frank and his crew are having a blast ,there playing cards, drinking beer and catching enough fish for a late nite fish fry. There a hoot and are constently shelling each other. They stay down at the lake every opener.
We got about a half inch of snow last night which will help with the banking.
Frank at North Country food and fuel said from his house on the shores of upper red lake he could drive all the way to center bar with no pressure ridges.He has his house four miles out and said its just crazy out on center bar. Buddy Hillmen was scoping out a path to cross the pressure ridge so we can push west and finish his road. I need blue thunder up and running today
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From every thing I heard the fishing was a bit slow yesterday. Mark and Jim are here one more nite so I will move them today..I also have to move florida as Jim and his crew check in at 2. Kellie and I had freash fish with the guys in minnesota and florida last nite. Frank the rimg leader, Swaggs, little buddy/Dan, Mike and Bradly. We then played some texas holdem and had a good time. We got another lite coating of snow last night. Blue thunder is still down . I need a special tool to put a bubble on the trans line so the hose does not come off I will check with Tom later today to see if he has one. I will have to move the houses with the red baron which is no big deal. I never got to talk to the guys in the cabin and will have to wonder how they did.
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For sone reason it has been slow for quite a few fishermen the last couple days. Not sure why. I'm heading out this morning to wet a line . 34 degrees out good day to auger some holes and fish outside. Yesterday I moved florida and montana. Jim and Mark helped move montana as they are here one more day. Mike and his wife arrive later today for florida.
Tomm the local mechanic would not borrow me the tool I need for blue thunder as its a expensive tool and easy to break. I think I have a plan b and will try and buttom her up today with out driving all the way to bemidji. I have a couple days before I need to move old minnesota and stilll have to get North Carolina my new two man house out of the woods. I can move houses with the red baron but would rather use blue thunder as I can then un bank and bank the houses</b
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Spent my morning detailing old minnesota and doing a little fishing. I got my 3 for lunch and missed a couple more. Fatheads on a rattling flyer and vexlar. Missed a couple on the rattle wheel also. Jim and Mark are heading home and did well with the move. They went exploring yesterday and said they caught more in the house then fishing outside on the lake. Thanks guys
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WOW 35 degrees all day yesterday with a 15 mph wind melted all the snow again. Its 34 right now and never got below freezing last night. Headed out last night to check on Shelly and Mike. They had 5 in the bucket and caught there 6th keeper while I was there. Shelly fishes with out a vexlar or bobber and just jigs and waits for a bite . What a great way to fish as when a fish hits its such a surprise. Seems moving that 100 yards payed offed for now.
I buttomed up blue thunder yesterday and will take it out this morning to check out the three bridges crossing the pressure ridge out of hillmens. Buddy moved a few of his houses over the ridge yesterday. I will more then likly wait to push out as the fishing is fine where I'm at for now. Talking to Buddy it sounds like theres still a good bite in 8 feet of water but everyone wants to be further out. There were a couple portables fishing shallow yesterday and they never moved? I did not want to bother them so will have to wonder how they did. The family is coming up for xmas so I need to prep a few extra fishing rods for the gang as we plan on wetting a line. I also have to get north carolina out of the woods today as It is rented just after xmas. I may have to haul snow off shore again for banking the way it looked last night
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First off merry christmas to all from Cookie and Kellie. Last night heading out to check on Mike and Shelly and there was quite a bit of standing water on the lake. I do not think theres enough running down the holes to make big holes which is a good thing. The fishing was a bit slower yesterday for mike and shell. I told them my houses never seem to get better the second and third day. Not sure why or how to correct it other then moving the house onto fresh ice. Its very quiet out of Hillmens road with just a couple andlers out there.
Buddy Hillmen has moved most of his fleet over the pressure ridge and has them stung out every 1/4 mile or so. Looking for the bridges became a adventure I was driving nice and slow and just could not make out a bridge untell I drove over a 3 inch wide crack of open water. I then spotted the bridge to the west. The second bridge was bigger but I did not cross it as I have no intension of moving that way yet as the fishing has been good where I'm at for now. I also noticed I still have no heat in blue thunder even though the temp gauge is around 189. When I got home I topped off the radiator,I then got a funnel and topped off the overflow tank. Turns out just like I thought the over flow tank is cracked and spewed out all the antifeeze I dumped into it. I then procedded how to remove it. I had to pull the battery,then the battery trey and move all the wires for the plow. Sure as sh the tank was cracked I repaire dit with goralla glue and will put it all back together today. I hope that solves my heating problem but I may still have to flush out the heater core.
I also set up Gary and Kay the farmer I work for . They fished montana for a couple hours and landed 5 fish with quite a few misses. They fish old school with jig sticks and bobbers and then hand over hand there fish. No vexlars or rods and reels Gary did not even have a depth bomb. So I set all there lines with the vexlar just off the bottom. Mike and Shell are on there own today as I have to go to bemidji this morning. Rick and Diane show up tomorrow.
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Mery christmas cookie. See yq on newyears!
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Yes merry Christmas cookie. I look forward to all your reports and enjoy reading them.
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Yes, Merry Christmas Cookie. Your reports are exceptional!
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Good morning to all. I hope santa was kind to everyone.
Mike and Shell left a day early ,not sure why but when I talked to them and everything was fine, they even left me a tip. Rick and Diane arrive today for a couple nights in florida, I will be heading out to move it onto fresh ice ,detail it and auger 6 holes. There is no snow on the lake so I will have to shovel snow into the back of blue thunder ugg. Mother nature at work again . The temps are going to drop this weekend so I need to make sure all the houses are moved,blocked up and banked. If your coming up I would reccomend some type of ice cleats as its slick out there. Driving out last night to check the houses when we got home from town the standing water was starting to glaze over.It would be nice if it freezes up a bit before the traffic this weekend. All the grandkids will be coming today so we will be all wetting a line over the next three days, should be fun. I need to put blue thunders overflow tank back on today . I have also been drilling out two holes to bolt the plow bracket on the frame and broken 2 drill bits. Running out of room and not sure how to get broken bits out of holes. North carolina need a little more minor work also so I have a busy xmas daay.
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I had a very busy day yesterday. Detailed all the houses, hauled north carolina out to the area I’m fishing. Moved. augered and banked florida. I had to get 3 loads of snow from shore to bank it. Wow a lot of shovling the back got a work out yesterday. The kids did not arrive untell late so we did not fish. All the houses are being used today so we will have to wait tell tomorrow to fish. I reinstalled the overflow tank on blue thunder and still do noy have good heat. I guess the next thing to try is flushing out the heater core. I must do that today as the temps are going to keep dropping all week. We have a full house today so we will see how the area I’m fishing holds up. I still think they are fish in shallow and could have good fishing in 8 to 9 feet of water. I still have not driven over Hillmens bridges but if you travel over them go slow
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how thick is the ice cookie? are ya gona try to fish shallow to confirm your shallow suspicions?
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jUST TALKED TO A FRIEND AND THEY ARE DOING REAL WEEL IN 7 FEET OF WATER..gO FIGURE
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wow have i been busy the last few days.no tim to report so this will be quick.were catching fish moving houses .Learned a valuble lesson fishing by pressure ridge and willnever put house that close again gotta go for now
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Looks like I have a half hour to spend a little time talking about the last few days. None of the customers I've had went home dissapointed so that was good. The fishing wasn't spectacular but every one caught some fish. I have ruined another area and moved 3 of the four houses to new fishing grounds.
Dan, Trent and Ben really enjoyed old minnesota and loved the set up. I turned Ben on to a couple pieces of diamond willow and he was digging that. Rick and Dianne went home with there 6 and also enjoyed them self. Norm, Brad and Jake fished 1 day and did not do as well with only taking home 6 fish. They had alot of excitment friday night when a truck got stuck in the pressure ridge right out the front of the picture window. Rick watched all the action from the bathroom window in florida. It took 10 jerks to get it out and the cv joint or driveshaft was broken on a brand new ford truck. Geno, Hunter and there other buddie also got in on the action and watched them get the truck out at 1 am. Not sure why people think they can drive over these pressure ridges. I guess they see a area that looks flat and assume its safe. There may also of been alittle drinking involved. I heard it was not even there truck as the owner was passed out at the fish house. ZOIKS bet he was mad.
We had the two youngest grand kids up for the holidays with my daughter and her new boy friend Eric. I took advantage of him and him help me move houses and gather snow from the shore of upper red lake as there was/is little snow on the lake. It takes about three loads of snow to do one house so times that by 4 and your talking 12 loads of snow trucked out on the lake. Eric was a little sore when they left sunday. Missy detailed the houses on sunday before they left so thanks guys you were a tremedous help. Pat and his two boys Liem and Shawn rolled into minnesota sunday afternoon along with Vince and his crew in florida. Pat and the boys did real well in the new location and got 31 fish the first night into yesterday morning .Last night was slower with the fish very finincy for some reason. Vince and his crew fished in florida next to the pressure ridge the first night and had a bite about every hour.. Yesterday morning when I headed out to check on them and take Tom and John to montana a crack had came behind florida under montana. It then turned and went back the other way where it went under the generatoar and back to the pressure ridge causing both my houses to be floating on a giant chunk of ice. When I came back with blue thunder to get the house's out of there the crack had widen to a foot under montana. The runners must of been frozen in to the ice just enogh to not give. The shiftting of the ice broke the welds on the steal runner and the 16 foot runner came off the house causing the edge of the house to fall down to the frame work . Zoiks I checked with Tom and John and they said the house shiftted a little bit? So they moved there trucks. I spent a good part of the day trying to find some one to weld it once I got it up off the ice and blocked up. With know luck of a portable welder. I will be heading out shortly to try and repositon it, drill some holes and bolt it back together instead of welding it. Brian was a no show for the cabin sunday monday and did not even bother to call and give me a heads up.
Buddy Hillmen has 3 or 4 bridges crossing the pressure ridge and cracks and you need to stop in the store to get a heads up . Remember to drive over them slow there is 18 inch of ice on the edges so driving over fast mess things up. There is plenty of ice to drive over slowly. Its getting light out I need to hit the ice have a grand day
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:happy1: We look forward to your reports Cookie. Keep them coming. :happy1:
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Yesterday was another busy day. Spent the first three hours of the day repairing montana in brutal conditions on the lake. -15 with a west wind at about 20 mph. Without Tom's help I could not of repaired it. After the repair I moved montana over by the other houses. Then it was hecktic as all 4 houses needed to be prepped for customers arriving at 2. They all arrived on time and I had to have them wait a 1/2 hour untell I had all the houses vacumed and augered. The old strikmaster is getting a little tired and needs new blades. I have the blades 65 bones but was so busy did not want to spend the time putting them on. The time I would of saved augering I should of just changed them as it was a bear punching out all them holes in short order. I got Shell and Marty checked in florida. Sergio and his group of 8 with 5 young kids in montana and old minnesota and jessica and carl in north carolina. After going over the rules of the houses I headed home to take a quick break. The break was short as it was close to 4 oclock and I like to go back on the lake at sunset if I'm on shore. All 4 houses had all ready had some action when I topped off the generators . How sweet is that it always pays off to move even if its 30 yards. Now if I could just figure out how to get more then two good days of fishing I could leave the houses in the same spot. Wisfull thinking I guess. As the evning went on I again headed out at 10 to check on everybody one more time as the winds had picked up through out the day and it was wicked out there. What little snow is around is blowing to the west and 30 miles a hour. To my surprise there are 2 foot drifts all ready around the houses. Every one was still catching fish and Sergio had 9 in the bucket fishing plain red hooks and a fathead. Marty and Shell were getting ready to chow down on 5 upper red lake walleyes. Bob and the guys in montana had all the lights off so I did not bother them but Sergio said they were catching fish. Carl and Jessica came back from north carolina with 5 keepers and are staying in the cabin. Today I need to finish drilling out holes for plow mounts on blue thunder and get that bolted as it sounds like some snow is on the way.
Buddy Hillmens road is in great shape with a berm to follow on the south side of the road and reflectors on the north side. Make sure you check into the store/bait shop as the bridges can and often have to be moved. Be safe out there and stop trying to cross pressure ridges. I learned a good lesson sunday and have no plan to put my houses that close again.I new better and got burned
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Happy new year all you fisher people.
Sergio and his group did really well and headed home with 32 fish. They had tremendous fishing. Marty and Shell were in florida for the second night and the bite was not as good, seems the house's never get better the second night. Joel and Luke are in North Carolina and were up to 22 last night . Shell Jeff and Chase arrived around 10 and to my surprise brought blue thunder 1 back home from pine city so I have a parts truck on hand. How cool was that and unexpected. We had a couple cocktails through out the evening as I waited for Nate to arrive with his group for Montana. They had some vechicle trouble and rolled in at 1;30 am. Talked to Jessica and Carl in the cabin they headed way out on hillmens road and had a fantastic day of fishing .Sounds like there is a good bite going on out deeper with a few bonus elusive upper red lake crappies to boot.
Marty came to shore yesterday and we were able to get the plow mounts bolted on blue thunder which was a project that needed drastic attention. The wind has been howling for 48 hours and I think most of the snow on lower red lake is now around my houses. Wow there are 4 foot drift its just amazing where it come from. Blue thunder and the red baron are about to get a workout. Wayne arrives for Montana today and Nate and his crew are switching to florida. Chase is going to help me do some plowing and what ever other work I can find to do.
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Thanks for the report Cookie!
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Good morning to all you fisher people. Another fun but busy day yesterday.Marty and Shell stayed two nights in florida and Marty was such a big help.Thanks again Marty if ya want to come up and fish and help me out just give me a shout during the week. Natte, Holly and the other two guys had fantastic fishing when they checked in at 2 am, they have eaten some fish and are enjoying there stay in montana. Luke and Jeff decided to spend another night in north carolina. Shell chick,Jeff and Chase have caught a few but it has slowed down. Wayne is in florida and missed a couple on th erattle wheels but was throuly enjoying himself.
Last night the bite had really slowed down in the house's. The plan is to move all 4 today before we batten down the hatches for 4 to 8 inches of snow starting today. I set up a few fishermen in there wheel houses yesterday, Wild Bill and his two buddies were one shy of there limit last night and they are completly buy themself. I also set up a few other wheel houses around the lake and they all were catching fish and happy with there locations. How sweet is that.
Chase will help me again today and what a asset having a young buck helping me out for a day. Wayne has to move to montana today as Aaron and his crew arrive for florida. Dave rolls in for the cabin and North carolina. Shell ,Jeff and Chase may stay again tonight they were going to decide today. I will be spending my spare time wetting a line with Wayne as he is one of my best friends.he is also one of the best fishermen I know. I've learned all sorts of tricks from Wayne that catch fish. The plann this morning is get all the houses on fresh spots, I'm staying in the area I'm at for now and hoping we have not fished are honey hole out. With all the snow around the houses it only makes sense to dig in right there with plenty of snow around to bank the houses. With a high of 11 below sunday banking the houses is going to be evry importent. Time too warm up the trucks and get ready too hit the lake I expect great fishing the next two days so it willl be interestting to see if I'm right<b></b>
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Morning cookie! Got 8 i. The bucket but the wind change outa the east has slowed down the bite for sure. Night time rattles were goig about every hour. Made for a sleples night. Love it. Stop in again when ya have a chance.
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Yesterday was one long a$$ day. With the impending storm I was determined to get all 4 houses on new spots, fresh ice ,all blocked up and banked to the hilt. I had a great plan but as always murphy's law takes over. Jeff and shell chick had a flat tire so we delt with that plus I had to come home and unload blue thunder 1 form th etrailor Nate and Holly,Spencer and Andrew has a fantastic time and siad they would be back. I receved a email that Lyn would not be able to show up for old minnesota. I needed to get north carolina and florida moved first as they were showing up at 2pm check in time. Dave and his family called around 3 to say they arrived. I came to shore only to find out they were not ready to go and I still had montana and old minnesota to move. I gave them 15 minutes to get ready as I had to get out there and move those two house. In the process I figured out I had another no show for florida. Ouch two no shows on a big weekend. Thats to bad as I had other calls for this weekend that I turned down. The season is short and a guy hates to loose that income plus all the hard work I put in getting the houses on fresh ice. I set up Chris and Tim in a new spot and they had there limit in 2 hours with another bonus elusive upper red lake crappie 15 1/2 inch that Tim released .Way to go Tim. I have a pic on facebook under John Halvarson she was a beauty.
After getting Dave and his family in Northh carolina it was off to move montana. The move went well and I had Wayne wetting a line in know time. Headed over to old miinesota the last one to move, it was dark. I try not to move houses after dark but had no choice as I wanted it moved before the snow hit. It was good experiance incase i ever have to move a house in the middle of the night. The wheel houses I talked to had slower fishing in the area were at and it may be burned out. Ruined another good area. Time will tell. Just as I finised banking minnesota the snow started coming down. I came home ate dinner got gas and headed back out at 9pm to play a few game of cards with wayne and wet a line. I landed two one on the rattle wheel and one on my rod and reel with the vex i also checked in with Chris and Jim and they were way happy with there spot. I talk to all the wheel houses that are around me today if I get the chnace just to get a feel if the area is fished out . I was happy with the two i caught as I was also playing cards.
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Hey cookie. Here the 12:30 am wake up, also hit a 17.5 and missed anither nice one. This morn i awsoke to some rattles of a 16.5 a miss and a small. Wen u showed up i was cleaning iut the plumbing, lol! But as we talke outside cause of wife still snoozing,sorry biut that ur always welcome in the boars nest, but one of my brood hit a 16. So they are still in the are. AWSOME finnaly meeting you ill be back next weekend with my son and his freind, see ya then! Thanks for checking on us.later boar
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Sounds good boar
well all my hard work paid off. I would guess we got 5 to 6 inche’s of fresh snow.With the wind blowing the lake is full of pillow drifts. Wow there were some cooll looking drifts out there. There not wind blown hard yet and as long as a guy watches what he is doing can still travel off road.Its when you hit a spot where there was a wheel house or hard house that it gets interesting to say the least. i was tooling along last night cross country at a very low speed in blue thunder when i rolled over a froven mess. Every thing in the truck ended up somewhere else. Glad i was going slow or I would of been air born.
Now for the fishing report, Arron and his group fished florida for the day and ended up with 12 keepers. I have caught 4 hanging with wayne while playing cards and having a hoot. North carolina has been slow but when 1 guy has 4 lines down its nothing but bad ju ju in my book. I also rented old minnesota yesterday .The first time I stopped to check on them yhey were napping after the long drive. I ate a minnow in front of the two kids and boy did there faces lite up.To funny. Boar pulled out around noon with there fish and thinks the area still has potential.which is good because moving houses with all this snow just got a little harder. I’m sure we will be working on Hillmens road all day so I’m glad no one is coming in untill tomorrow. Wayne may stay a extra day. Lets hope because I sure enjoy his company. The red baron is running as I type while blue thunder has a bad starter wire that I thought I correctted yesterday. The red baron also needs new plow lites as the old ones have broken off . Blue thunder needs tail lites so I have one truck with headlites and no tail lites and one truck with tail lite and know headlites. I guess i could hook them together. Oops just looked at the calender and I have Matt and his wife coming today with Todd rolling in tomorrow. – 22 this morning burrr
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The Days of our lives with Cookie......Love it :happy1:
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Things have been a little hectic the last two days with the 6 inches of snow. Nick, Derrick and there two boys Ely and Dillon stayed in old minnesota saturday night. The kids had a blast and it was fun to see there smiles.. The fishing was a bit slow for them all though 3 of the four times I stopped in they were all in bed. They did take home some fish sunday morning and left the house in great condition thanks guys. Wayne had to go home sunday after all. He did not catch a lot of fish but had a fantastic trip partting with everyone thursday night. We played quite a bit of texas hold em as he loves his poker. Dave and his family also went home with fish, they used north carolina has a day house and also had the cabin. The guys in the cabin yesterday went out of westwind about 4 miles and figured they caught 20 fish yesterday. Plain red hook has been the trick the last couple days as the fish have be come lathargic with all the snow cover.
I spent about 4 hours and two tanks of gas plowing Buddy hillmen's road. Coming off the lake in the afternoon I pulled on to the hwy and the Red Baron started to shake. I assumed I had a flat tire and limped it home. When I got home it was not a flat tire but a compleatly worn out wheel bearing / hub assembly. A trip to blackduck yesterday for a 180 dollar part. I'm hoping there,s no other damage and will no more later today.
Matt and Tammy have been fishing in Florida since sunday and are enjoying them self with Tammy landing the biggest a 18 icher. Matt and his crew checked in to montana yesterday .The door handle broke on the fish house sunday morning. I picked up a new one yesterday and need to install that later today. They had 8 keepers last night when I checked in on them. The Goose and Rich have 4 keepers when I stopped by for birthday dinner. Sunday I plowed into one of the extension cords on montana I looked at one in kellier and they wanted 94 dollars for a 100 foot 14 gauge cord. I had to pass on that as I want attleast a 12 gauge. I still have not gotten to bemidgi to drop off my third generator thats not giving out power. The house have all been catching fish and I have a couple days to decide if I want to move them. After writing closed on my calender thursday I ended up renting all 4 house to a group heading to Lake of the woods and wanted to fish from noon to 5. That really puts me in a small window if i want the houses on fresh ice friday for the weekend. oops what was I thinking.
I also made a huge mistake and never checked out the bridges before the snow storm and have no idea where I can push the houses over the pressure ridge. This willl make it a little more interesting when I push to the west as the skid houses can not use the bridges. I have heard through the grape vine that theres some good fishing out there. The heat is stilll not producing in blue thunder two and a heater core is going on the list of repairs as she was a little cold when it was 22 below yesterday morning. Still loving the work. A little tired but that happens when you get older every year.
Buddy Hillmens road is in great shape, the wind was un bearable out there yesterday and the snow was diffently moving around and drifting around every object on the lake
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Tammy and Matt leave today. They fished florida in the same spot and never asked to move and I never volenteered as yesterday with the wind it was absulutly brutal out there. They caught plenty of fish,lost a few, more then three. Remember a couple is 8 or nine while a few is in the 15 to 20 range to fuuny..
Cody and his gang are here one more day, they also feel very content and did not ask to move and I again did not volenteer. I did get there door handle replaced and thinking about it thats the third door knob for that house in 9 years.I guess there life span is 3 years.
The wind was absulutly brutal out there yesterday. It gave me the perfect time to drive to the end of Buddy Hillmens road/hwy.. WOW what a road. I feel so proud to help work on such a masterpiece 6 miles and you could land a 747 on it. The three bridge are in good shape and I also found a spot to push my houses over the pressure ridge when the time comes. There was one wheel house at the very end of the road and square miles of unfished water to the north. Wow again man is there room to spread out. After that wind yesterday I will have to see if the drifts have gotten wind blown. Once they get hard the v-plow is the ticket to cut a trail. The red baron is still down and I have also damaged the king pin assembly and looks like I will have to find all the parts from a junk yard. Lots of metal shaving and parts compleatly ground up. Ouch I always new there was somthing going on in the front end and figured it would break eventally.
I also ventured out of westwinds road looking for bear paws houses as I wanted to say hi to a old friend Kirk. The vissibilty was poor yesterday and I never did find there houses with the side roads drifting in. I lost a tire chain that wrapped around the rear end and that was a bear getting it off in that brutal weather on the lake. The blower switch went out in blue thunder and made for a interesting drive back to my house's. I was at old minnesota when Lee called at 430 to see if I had a open house. With another cancellation I said minnesota is open buddy and he said I'll take it. It sounded like he was on the road. When I ask where he was he said brooklyn park. Lee will help me move florida today in exchange for a break on the house. I hope to have all 3 moved on fresh ice for the weekend. I had a beer with Cody and the guys in the cabin last night. What a bunch of nice guys .Cody has his work crew up here and said they will take down a few dead trees I have here as thats what they do. I'll barter with them and give them a free night or two in exchange for the work.
Goose and Rich must of liked where I set them up as they made a small move yesterday about 50 yards to be on freash ice as they have a crew coming up. I also saw Buddy moving his houses on to freash ice for the up and coming weekend.It sound like there doing well out deeper past the pressure ridge. Make sure you stop at hillmens to get any updates onthe three bridges
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Yesterday was another brutal day. With winds out of the west at 25 mile a hour the snow is again moving around the lake and making some massive drifts around objects on the lake. If you go out of Hillmens with a wheel house try and get atleast 50 to a 100 yards to the north away from the road as the drifts work there way across the road if your parked to close. If you need a place plowed give us a wave and we can try and help. After yesterdays wind the drifts are becoming a little harder and you can walk on top of them. It unreal how mother nature can pack that snow so tight. Buddys Hillmens road is in great shape there are a few drift crossing the road but not a issue at this time. The berm to the south has sank and it would be a very bad idea to jump them as there is slush under the snow as the weight of the snow has cracked the ice and flooded it under the snow. . I don't know the math but with 6 miles of road and atleast two miles of room to the north there is plenty of room for guys to get away from any crowding.
I also got out of westwinds to go see my old friend Kirk and I do mean old. ha ha just kidding soon to retire Kirk. Westwind road was also in great shape with squre miles of unfished water. Again I'm sure if you wave a plow truck down they will get you a plowed spot off the main roads. Westwind does not make a berm like hillmens so you can go to the south,west or north or maybe even east if you have gone out to far? Tammy and Matt headed home with there fish yesterday and ate fish everyday. She is quite the outdoormae/women. It was nice to get to know them and next year there bringing the kids. Cody and his crew parked there truck in a snow bank? There also having issure with there jeep. The triangle still has it s power even if its walleye fishing. To funny. I did have a beer last night with them and they have had a grand time on a GRAND LAKE.
Lee took me to westwind for lunch and I highly reccomend the toco salad. After Lee helped me with two propanes we headed back to minnesota where Calvin and him were ready to focus on some hard fishing I taught Lee years ago. They called around 9 30 last night and said they were tired, had there limit and were going to bed. They must of fished hard to be so tired. Im thinking about having Lee up next winter to help me out. As a ma and pa operation fightting mother nature can quadrouple the work load. With no snow only a week ago things have changed dramaticly.
I have a crew of 12 swinging in today on there way to low. I'm going to try and get a couple of houses moved on fresh ice before they get here. Theres alot of snow capcherd around the houses. My plans are still to have all 4 houses on fresh ice for the weekend. Sounds like I will be working in the snow today, if its not to windy it should be a glorious day working on the ice. Looking forward to hitting the lake at sunrise
COOKIES on Upper Red Lake
Winter and summer guiding, deluxe fish houses, cabins summer and winter.
218 647 8391
http://cookiesonupperredlake.com
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hey cookie... what ever happened to Russ and Judy? you ever hear from them?
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just heard from russ a month ago They still live in avon He wanted to know if I wanted to buy his two augers. They are onfacebook
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just heard from russ a month ago They still live in avon He wanted to know if I wanted to buy his two augers. They are onfacebook
Avon............ that's just 10 miles up the road from me!!!!!!!!!!!
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Good old mother nature and another mechanical breakdown changed my plans in a hurry yesterday. Have not figured out why but the new blue thunder did not want to fire when I headed out yesterday morning? I cleaned the cabin and had kellie come get me with her bravada so I could get out on the lake to say goodbye to the guys and clean the houses. I only had a small window as a crew of 11 were rolling in at noon to fish on there way to low. Again mother nature had made a mess of things with the fresh snow coming down and steady winds at 20 miles a hour. It was a adventure going through the drifts as The wife all wheel drive does not work. As I was saying goodbye to Calvin and Lee, Cody and his crew drove over to say good buy and drove right into a snow drift that they could not see do to the white out conditions. I handed them a shovel after we tried to push them out with no luck. Of coure I had the bravada so did not have a snatch strap. I did have the insight to bring a shovel though. We headed back to shore to get a rope while they dug the truck out.Of course when I got back they were gone. With near white out condition and both trucks down moving a house or houses was not a option. Cleaning the houses became quite a chore as I had to walk through the snow drifts to get to the houses. I also had to auger out nortyh carolina . Just has I finised things up Bruce called from Hillmens to say they arrived. I headed in to meet them then back out through the snow drifts and 25 miles a hour winds out of the northwest. Luckly they all had trucks so getting to the houses was simple for them. Of course parking 4 vechicle around the houses with the winds imstantaly started making more drifts around every object around the houses. Ugg Once I got them all checked in I headed home to see what was up with blue thunder. She started right up with no miss what the f. After looking her over I gassed her up and spent the next 4 hours plowing snow around the houses and cleaning up the road too my houses. The guys heade d to lake of the woods around 630 so I said my good byes Each house caught a few fish and they were very satisfied with the set up.. About that time Phil called me as he and his dad Gordy needed two spots plowed out for there wheel houses as they are hosting some friends this weekend. More plowing to take care of them and I finally headed home. Took my boots off and looked at the calender only to see a special note that Jason and his crew were going to roll in at midnight. Zoiks guess I was not going to hit the sack early after all. With hardly any heat coming out of blue thunder I put a sunflower in the cab and I started it around 10:30 to try and un freeze the windows as the were pretty frosted up from all the snow plowing cleaning things up after all the guys left. What a mess and man do i have the snow around the houses. Jason called at 1am and off I went to meet them. Everything was going fine and then blue thunder sputtered and died 2 miles out on the lake. I'm thinking its again the fuel filter. I have another new one but have no clue where it is . I thought I had it in the truck and will head out shortly to try and find it. After sitting on the lake with no heat and the wind howling she fired back up and I limped her home where again she will not start this morning. Looks like a beatifull day out there today I'm headed out now to find that filter and hit the lake. Phil and Gordy got there 6 with in a hour of setting up. I will mark that spot with my system
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I do not have all there names down yet but the guys in montana and florida are another great group of guys. With the red baron still in pieces, blue thunder is my work horse. She would not start again ,I found the spare filter and spent part of the morning replacing it. Putting the 1 inch nut "fine threads" on I got it crooked and stripped the threads a bit.Very frustrating working in the cold with bare hands. I had to put the problem on the back burner so I could check on the guys and gas up the generators. Quite the adventure driving out there as the wind blew all nite and created some massive drifts. Around florida is the worst with there truck parked in front of the house a drift had formed 4 feet deep behind there truck making it impossible to drive rite up to the house.. All four houses have snow plowed up and major drifts to deal with. FUN FUN FUN. Trevor called around 10; 30 to tell me they were here. I met them and escorted them out to montana where they hooked up with there buddies that arrived thursday nite friday morning. Peng Seng, and Neng also called around 11 so back to shore I went to meet them and get them all set up in old minnesota. Once they were checked in it was after 12 as I headed back in with the wifes bravada. Back to working on blue thunder while Kellie headed to black duck to pick up parts for the red baron. I was able to reset the one inch nut onthe carb and get the steel fuel line threaded back on. Now its was time to try and start her. I poored some fuel down the carb and she fired right up but only ran for 20 to 30 seconds. I poored some more fuel down the carb and this time it stayed running Sweet I thought only to notice fuel is seeping out the side of the fuel pump. A quick call to kellie and she turned around to get new fuel pump. She arrived home after 4 and it was to late to work on it so thast my project this morning..My goal is to get her running and move montana and florida on new spots today. Just to move them blue thunder will get a work out clearing all the drifting snow. With the temp at 11 below this morning installing that fuel pump will be very tricky as the lines underneith are all most impossible to get to. The fishing has been poor in montana and florida which I totally expected with out them on fresh ice. The houses never get better? Oh well I feel bad but good ol mother nature wins this one. Peng ,Seng and Neng were not doing much better all though I missed two while I was visitting them as they were playing cards enjoying there stay. I then headed back to montana to play some cards with the boys,while playing cards I had a keeper up to the hole but Trevors bobber also went down and as his drag was spinning he pulled the fish right back down the hole as we were tangled and it got off. Thats what happens when you play cards instead of fishing hard. Oh well we all had a good laugh and went back to playing cards after we reset the lines. It would be nice to see some fish out theer this morning when I check on the guys because I sure want to see them get some more action. When I left the lake last night it was still blowing and drifting
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I sure enjoy your reports.
tomcat
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Thanks I do enjoy writing them so its a win win
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After checking with all the guys this morning it was back to shore to replace fuel pump on blue thunder. What a bear she was. After spending close to two hours on it I still was struggling to remove the fuel lines under the pump. Henery and Jake volunteered to come to shore and help me if I came and picked them up. I was like ya. When we arrived back home they jumped right in and with me holding the socket on from the bottom and Jake wrenching from the top we had the smog pump off and thrown away lickity split. We then were able to cut the steel fuel line and remove the fuel pump. I rooted around for some gas line and clamps and we had the new pump on in no time. How sweet it was to hear her fire up. Thanks again guys. After loading up the truck with the moving gear I was off to move Florida and Montana onto fresh ice. 3 hours later and the houses were moved and rebanked for the evening.
I had forgotten Phil had borrowed my auger. Oh Oh bad news the rope broke on him. I was kinda up set as he had grabbed the wrong auger he was spose to take my back up auger with the chipper blade. Once we got thing straightened out we were all good and I repaired the auger on the spot.
Trevor, Matt, Dan, Jake, Steave, Chad, Henery, and Jason were now all set for the evening in Montana and Florida. After dinner I headed back out to see if the move paid off and Trevor had pulled his first ever walleye through the ice. The fishing was still a little slow but I'm comfedent they had some action over nite. I then swung in to Minnesota and sampled some fresh walleye fish tocos and a bite of Squirrel that Peng had prepaired. Both were very good and I will try and take a grey squirrel with my bow next year. I'm now headed out to check on all the guys and a few other fishermen I have fishing in new locations. I also have some plowing to do On Buddy Hillmens hwy.Just some clean up with the straight blade. We then have a window with no rentals so I can take my time, detail the houses and make my decision where to move as I again have ruined 40 acres of upper red lake
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Another weekend has come and gone. Only 6 weekends of walleye season to go. Man where has the season gone.
Now the good news both the red baron and blue thunder were back on the ice yesterday. The red baron hurt as I had to hire some one to repair it total cost 1600.00 that's what I get for driving it tell it breaks. I will be replacing the right wheel bearing asap before I destroy that side also.
Fun fun fun was the way to describe this weekend, what a bunch of great customers I had a chance to meet. The crew in Montana had a riot playing cards, listening to music and catching a few fish, They even ate a couple. After getting blue thunder back on the ice I moved there houses about a 100 yards and they did have better fishing so that was great to see.
I got to hang with Seng, Neng and Peng yesterday and enjoy a little lunch with them on the ice. Shoulder pork, roast cut up into steak, brats fried mushrooms and onions. For a appitisor whole walleye fried bone and all perch and a new delicasi fried perch eggs that were outstanding. I guess walleye eggs are a little grainy. Peng was in old Minnesota less then 30 seconds Friday when his wedding ring went down the hole. I called a couple of outfitters but no one had the equipment or time to try and retreave it. I'm going to try and borrow a camera before I move the house and maybe with a little luck we can retreave it from the bottom of upper red lake. Marty is coming up tomorrow to help me with some projects and do some evening/overnite fishing. I have a list of things to get done on shore so I will keep him busy.
Marlo and his buddie set up 500 yards east of me and got 10 overnite. They packed up there wheelhouse and headed out deeper where marty texting and said they were doing much better last nite. I also drove out and talked to a group that I had sent out further, they had a mess of fish plus 4 or 5 bonus perch and the four of them were playing cards when I stopped by around noon. With nothing rented until thursday I will have all the houses on fresh ice this up and coming weekend just still not sure where at this time
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Cool sounds like some good fishing. We will be talking soon as ice-a-palooza starts thursdaynight or friday morn. Hope u can put us on a fishy spot ..
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Hey Boar have everyone call me from hillmens. I have a spot all checked out for your group and it is a fishy area Its going to be a crazy weekend with a3 day holiday for some. Marlo did real well in the area I plan on taking you to
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Crappie fishing? Wow looking at the calendar 16 straight days on the ice. It has been hectic to say the least. FUN ,fun, fun though gotta love working on the lake. Marty will be up tonight to help me put tail lite on blue thunder and head lites on the red baron. I truly love my trucks. Sure they break and I may cuss at them but they take a beating out there.
Buddy Hillmen’s hwy is in great shape. Stay away from the berm to the south as it has sunk and became a active pressure ridge with any where from 3 to 5 feet of slush underneath. A few fishermen have learned that the hard way and when I say a few I’m talking more then three.
Marlo called me yesterday when he was leaving and they figured between the two landed 30 fish. The plan is to set Boar and his crew into that area friday. I never heard from Goose after he moved . Give me a call goose if you get the chance. Yesterday I was on the lake early before a must needed trip to Bemidji. A new chipper bar a new spud bar, both lost. Headlites and tail lites as they also take a beating out there. I even made a deal on a new auger, my old one was 10 years old. I have been waiting for the day I auger and the transmission falls apart and I loose the auger right down the hole. It still can happen as the auger is not retired at this time. Looking forward to detailing the houses today and moving them tomorrow with Marty’s help. He is pumped and is looking forward to working on the ice for a couple of days . He is the type that needs to be doing something as he does have some medical problems and does not want to sit around and die. What a great attitude to follow.
Talked to Peng yesterday he will be coming up with his cusins Friday or Saturday to try and retrieve his wedding ring.
Now for the crappie fishing my plans at this time is to head west when everyone else is heading east at the end of the season. I expect buddy will keep his road open and have shacks out there also. I will have to confirm with him. The season just goes by to fast for me and I’m never in a hurry to see it end.
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Spent three hours on the lake yesterday fishing, remodling, and detailing Montana. Florida is on the list this morning. I did manage to catch three fish while I was in Montana so about one a hour. Marty was spending the night out there so we will see how he did overnite before I make a big move . Minnesota and North Carolina will be pulled out of there spots today. Gene and Sue will be here tomorrow morning to fish for the day. My plan was to do a little scoutting out of the truck this morning but I want to fish it comfort this morning and have a few things I need to do in florida, so I will wet a line there this morning as I watch the sun come up. Not sure whats going to happen with the limit changes to two jan 23rd. I do not have a lot of reservation for Feb and wonder if the calls are going to trickle in. The other choice will to start chasing crappies again and that take a lot of gas and time but may be the only choice I have. What to do, What to do. It will be nice to have headlites on the red baron and taillites on blue thunder and we could not of ask for better weather from mother nature /god Thank you. Time to warm up the trucks and hit the ice
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tough blow with the new regs starting jan 23rd
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Yesterday morning detailing Florida the lake was rumbling from the warm up. A balmy 28 as I type this. I had plenty to do on shore and no need to go out further I assume the bridges were ok as Buddy Hillmen never called me. We had a great day working on blue thunder and the red baron. I now have much needed plow lights on the red baron. Blue thunder has break lights and still needs tail lights. I thought I bought some quite some time ago and I could not find them.I also changed the oil on the red baron. Heading out shortly to wet a line as I wait for Gene and Sue to call. It sure is nice having Marty helping me with a few projects as when it comes to wiring I have no clue. Marty had caught 8 when I checked in yesterday morning . While I was working in Florida around 10 am he had a flurry where he caught 5 .I had two lines down in Florida and never got a bite that I saw. When I checked my ratting flyer the minnow was gone but I guess I could of jigged it off. I have to dig out Minnesota and north Carolina today as it just did not work out yesterday. I have a spot all picked out and as far as I'm concerned its still a fishy area and I have not ruined it yet. Bill and his buddy arrive for Minnesota around 2. Sue and Gene are from low and are just down for the day into the early evening. Were full tomorrow except the cabin is not being used until Saturday. I will take a quick trip out to the pressure ridge after light to see how bridges are. Remember to drive slow over them there is plenty of ice on each side of the crack so driving fast has no barring on making it across. With the 3 day weekend, nice weather, and the limit going to two fish on the 23rd my money is it is going to be one crazy weekend up here as the lake is going to get pounded. I expect westwind will be hopping. Don't forget to stop at tall tavern/hillmens they have set ups bring your own bottle and 3 2 beer, plus they serve frozen pizza. They will have the football games on sunday on there big screen tv. Gotta hit the lake have a grand day as I plan to have a grand day as a local Dave use to say Its a GRAND LAKE! A GRAND LAKE! it owes me nothing,nothing
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Well I was right I had a grand day on a grand lake yesterday.
We had both the red baron and blue thunder on the lake all day. One project was moving about a 100 yards stretch of snow from the north side of buddy hillmens road to the south. Working both trucks it took about 2 hours and two tanks of gas as the trucks got a good work out. I think Marty enjoyed throwing the snow with the red baron but said he still has to get use to it. We then got Minnesota moved and setup as Tom and Bill arrived right on time at 2pm as I was just finishing augering the holes. After getting them checked in I stopped to see gene and sue they were up to four and had released a couple to big. Gene called me a hour later and said they had there 6 and were headed home to bauddett. I also got north Carolina out of its spot and will be prepping that house this morning. Jake arrives at 8am for florida I have left it where it was as it has only been fished by Sue and Gene during the day and Trevor's crew less the 24 hours last Saturday/sunday. If need be I can always move it for them tomorrow. Montana has been fished a little bit more with Marty staying out there the last couple of nights. Wendesday night the rattle wheel kept him up until four when he finaly said enough and reeled them in. A very good problem to have. Marty leaves today and I enjoyed working with him and I think he also enjoyed working on the lake. We have 2 to 4 inches of snow coming this weekend , kinda bad timing as it will cause a lot of drifting around the vechicles and houses. Darn that mother nature who does she think she is. The Boss
Remember if you go out of hillmens try to set up at least 50 yards off the main hwy if not further as the snow will drift across the hwy if your set up to close. The bridges have been moved and again go over them slow. there is plenty of room to the north of Hillmen's Hwy spread out and enjoy the weekend. If ya want a spot plowed wave down a plow truck and they should be able to punch you a spot. Good luck this weekend , only take what you need and help keep a grand lake a grand lake
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Well fawkinnae, Headed out to have lunch with Boar and Fawkinnae as they invited me out for fresh walleye for lunch at noon. After gassing up the red baron I headed out on my adventure to find a blizzard on the lake. I decided to push on as a free walleye dinner was in my reach. Driving was diffecult fawkinnae and more then once I had to stop and clean off the ice and snow built up on the windshield "fawkinnae. After traverrising the bridges I was well on my way to fresh walleye dinner. Arriving after my long journey I headed right to boars as I new thats where they would be cooking all the fresh walleye. All I can say is fawkinnae they changed the lunch time and never called to inform me. What the fawkinnae. Oh well at home now eating a can of chile fawkinnae
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Hope they offered you a bag of Cheeto's at least... :tequila;
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Hope they offered you a bag of Cheeto's at least... :tequila;
You would have better luck asking Glenn57 to skip a Union mandated nap than getting a Cheeto or two out of those guys. :rotflmao: :rotflmao:
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Hope they offered you a bag of Cheeto's at least... :tequila;
You would have better luck asking Glenn57 to skip a Union mandated nap than getting a Cheeto or two out of those guys. :rotflmao: :rotflmao:
what's a nap???
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I did have a cookie and coffee. It was all in fun and not a big deal just need too rub it in>Next time I will know better
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The old weather man had a swing and a miss. 2 to 4 inches of snow turned into less then half a inch. We did get a strong wind out of the south east followed by a strong wind and flurries from the north west that caused quite a bit of drifting around fish houses and vechicles. Driving out to have lunch with Boar and fawkinnae yesterday there was three wheel houses set up to the south of Buddy's road. They must of came out of westwind . Right in the middle of there set up was a car? A car? I know for a fact there is no road there so I have no clue how he got there other then following the tracks of the three wheel houses. With all the winds he will have a interesting trip back to shore. Lunch was a bust as the guys changed it to 3 pm. Buddy Hillmen pulled out two trucks from the berm to the south of his road yesterday. He also pulled out two trucks that tried to cross by the pressure ridge that also came out of westwinds. Hillmen's charge 10 dollars a day to use there road. Stop in, get the latest info and pay the 10 bucks.
Kellie and I had dinner with Bill and Berry last night in old Minnesota ,a chuck roast with potatoes and onions and carrots umm ummm good. Reminded me of a offer I made years ago. When you arrive a roast will be waiting in the oven. I will add the potatoes, onions and carrots before you arrive so dinner will be served apon your arrival. If any one is interested in this give me a shout and we can make arrangements . Jake suggested I sell my home made pizza's but they take a hour to make and I make a mess in the process so that was a bad idea.
Bill and berry figured they caught 28 fish so far with atleast that many misses. The house is rented today so the plan is to leave it there one more day before I move it as Chuck and his wife arrive at noon. Dale and Nolen have done all right in Montana .Larry will be here with two kids and another buddy and the plan is to have it on fresh ice before they arrive at noon. Sis and Leroy pull in at 4 for florida. Jake, Ryann and Gavin pull out at 10am. When I stopped last night they had a sink full of fish. Jake brought up a Polaris razor that I plan on taking it for a spin before they load it on the trailer . I have driven one before and if I was going to buy a wheeler that's what I would buy its basically a dune buggy and every boy wanted a dune buggy when they were a kid. Matt, Ryan and Eric were in North Carolina and had the worst fishing of the four houses. I offered to move them yesterday but they were fine so they must of had some action .I know they were two shy of there 9 when I stooped in last night. Mark and his family roll in around 1 for North Carolina so that will be put on fresh ice also. I have another busy day and I'm loving it. Today is going to be a picture perfect day so we will see how the weather man does with that one. Marlo found a good bite further out so I need to check that area before he leaves. fawkinnae and Boar also did real well and I have my eye on that
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Well fawkinnae, Headed out to have lunch with Boar and Fawkinnae as they invited me out for fresh walleye for lunch at noon. After gassing up the red baron I headed out on my adventure to find a blizzard on the lake. I decided to push on as a free walleye dinner was in my reach. Driving was diffecult fawkinnae and more then once I had to stop and clean off the ice and snow built up on the windshield "fawkinnae. After traverrising the bridges I was well on my way to fresh walleye dinner. Arriving after my long journey I headed right to boars as I new thats where they would be cooking all the fresh walleye. All I can say is fawkinnae they changed the lunch time and never called to inform me. What the fawkinnae. Oh well at home now eating a can of chile fawkinnae
Those bastards...
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The day started off a little nasty with a stong wind out of the northwest. The weather man said it was going to be nice. It did settle down around 1 and we had a rare sighting of the sun. I got out on the lake to say good bye to everyone and start prepping for all four houses to be turned over. After saying good by to Boar and fawkinnae I headed back to my shacks to get to work. I detailed Minnesota and decided since Berry and Bill Landed so many fish I would leave it here for Chuck and his wife. I then skadaddled over to florida to take a quick ride on jakes razor. What a riot. I stopped at Montana and had Nolyn grab his gloves and took him for a ride with me. Man do I want one of those. I bet I had a smile ear to ear as I raced around FUN! FUN! FUN! I then said my goodbyes as I still had a big work load but what a way to start the day. The guys in north Carolina were packing up and going home with 9 fish. That was nice to see. I then procceded to clean and move Montana before Larry arrived at noon. I then moved north Carolina before Mark rolled in with his family. I had untill 4 to get florida prepped and it would also be fished one more day where is at. Josh and Ray are right behind me and doing well in there grey wolf fish house. Wow what a nice fish house. After I prepped a area for Montana. I got Montana detailed ,moved, banked, augered I headed over to north Carolina to prep for moving. Chuck called and had arrived. I headed to shore to meet him and escort him out to the house. I checked him in and finished moving and prepping north Carolina. I also had to switch up the 100 lber propane. In between all this I made about 8 passes up and down Buddy Hillmens road throwing the snow to the south. I briefly met Boar to say good bye and then headed out 6 miles to check on Pat,Todd Ryan and Chris. I had them set up through buddy hillmens houses as I was full. I plowed all 4 miles out to the end of the road and plowed on the way back again throwing snow to the south. There was more then one spot where you could see someone tried to drive over the berm from the south with no success. After visiting pat and the boys I headed back to shore to meet Mark and escort them to north Carolina. Leroy, Sis and the kids for florida also arrived around four and met me on the lake. I came home just as it got dark ate dinner and fell a sleep. I have to apologize to Chuck in Minnesota and Mark in north Dakota as the generator ran out of gas around 8 pm. I was so busy I had forgotten to fill it up before I left the laks. The phone rang about 8 :30 and the generator for florida also ran out of gas. I never checked it as I added on the berg system and thought there was still plenty of gas in the tank. Once I got out there and fired florida back up I visited for a bit and Sis missed three bites. Zack finely got him or her a nice 20 inch walleye. After visiting with them it was kinda late and I never got to check in on Chuck or Mark and his family I again apologize as my serviced slipped a bit yesterday as I just got plain wore out. When I arrived home a stepped in the cabin to say good night To Peng, Yee, Seng and Jerry? They found a good spot and also did real well all by them selfs. Peng had no luck retrieving his ring and the triangle got it. I'm all rested now and will be moving Minnesota and florida if need be today
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Well fawkinnae, Headed out to have lunch with Boar and Fawkinnae as they invited me out for fresh walleye for lunch at noon. After gassing up the red baron I headed out on my adventure to find a blizzard on the lake. I decided to push on as a free walleye dinner was in my reach. Driving was diffecult fawkinnae and more then once I had to stop and clean off the ice and snow built up on the windshield "fawkinnae. After traverrising the bridges I was well on my way to fresh walleye dinner. Arriving after my long journey I headed right to boars as I new thats where they would be cooking all the fresh walleye. All I can say is fawkinnae they changed the lunch time and never called to inform me. What the fawkinnae. Oh well at home now eating a can of chile fawkinnae
Those bastards...
I would have plow their front doors of their fish houses tight so they had to climb out the window ;)
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Another fun filled day. Checking in on Leroy, Sis and the kids they only had a couple in the bucket. Josh and Ray were pulling out and said the fishing was great until the wind switched out of the east around 6 pm. They had been on the spot for a third night? The third night hardly ever gets better for my house's?
My next stop was old Minnesota with chuck and he was in there for the third night on that spot.. He commented how nice the table was set up. He had done real well and was about 100 yards from Josh and Ray that blamed the wind. I had told Chuck I had no problem moving house on such a nice day and he agreed I should move it. After prepping two spots with the red baron. I went home to get my fish house moving machine Blue Thunder Two. I then met Leroy back at florida to Point! him and Zack in the right direction on there quest to find a elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. Moving Minnesota went like a breeze and I only had to auger 3 holes for Chuck. Sweet! Three less holes of the hundreds I will have augered this year. Then the fun began as the girls in florida would be riding in florida as I glided it on to a new spot. Again every thing went like a well oiled machine and I'am so thankfull for that. Blue thunder 2 is living up to its name and has the soul of blue thunder 1 in her." Plus a Few Parts"
Finishing up floridas move with 8 more holes punched I was done for the day. Coming off the lake at sunset time I moved both house in 3 hours. I think I may be getting a little older as I thought I could do it in 2. Oh well.
Kellie" The Hammer" her new nick name until she sees this anyway.! and I headed back out on to the lake a hour later to have fish. Fish toco's with sis Leroy and the kids. They were delicious. Cloleslaw mixed with sour cream, a dash of lime and hotsauce all mixed together on a soft shell. Very good and will try and perfect it for the hammer and I.
Amanda and James were in Montana and only had three fish when I stopped in on them. They may have caught a couple two big I do not remember as again I was tired from a full belly and another day in all that fresh air. Chuck was doing real well in old Minnesota and may stay another day. Today is a big day as Montana gets prepped for a 4 to 5 mile move. I have to cross 4 cracks as you can not take the houses over the bridges. Florida and old Minnesota will stay put for the day and have not made a decision on what to do with north carolina
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Hitting the lake yesterday morning I could feel it being another grand day on such a grand lake. After visiting with James and Amanda as they were packing they had a terrific time and will be coming back again. I think they were only taking home 3 fish. They caught a bout a dozen over night with a few big ones in the mix. Chuck just keeps catching fish. On average 1 a hour. He has been in old Minnesota for three nights. He did get checked by the dnr yesterday, they did not stop and talk to me must of new I was cleaning. Leroy, Sis, Hanna, Colten and Ashly they did not have the greatest fishing even after moving them. They did take home 9 fish and we ate 5 when we had fish toco’s. They also said they will be back and sis wants to have a girls getaway weekend.
I then spent part of the day fishing in Montana while I detailed it for Andy and his crew arriving Friday. Montana is getting ready for a 4 to 5 mile trip to a new location. They have requested a certain spot and I think I can get there with out any problems. Lets just hope I do not end up on some ones waypoint or spot that they are going to. Its only one house for now. For one weekend and we will see what pans out. I did miss two fish while detailing Montana and landed a nice 16 1/2 on a chubby Darter. Them lures are a blast to fish with as the fish just smack them . I would of never got that fish with out the vex though. I released him to fight another day. Minnesota stays where it is for at least one more night and maybe two ,depending on how Bob and Terry do. They are retired photographers and spent 25 years living in yellowstone taking pics of the wild life and following the wolfs for years. I’lll post his website when I get it from him as its well worth looking at. Orian and his crew roll in around 9am for florida.It will be interesting to see how they do the first 24 hours after Leroy and his family did not do that well. I will move them tomorrow if need be. I still have not decided what to do with North Carolina and need to decide today for sure as It will be moved, even though it was only fished one night.
This morning I have a chore. I need to pick up all the tools I have used this winter. I have been putting them on the floor of the garage after using them to see what I use through out the season. There are more on the floor of the garage then in the tool boxes. Blue thunder and the red Baron are in good shape at this time Knock on wood. They are about to get another work out though as I move Montana to its new location. I did feel a little miss in the red baron but I think it s fine. Still feeling out blue thunder but as of now she has a good 100 years in her as a lake truck. I need to add a steering wheel rap asap though. Getting ready to have a grand day on a grand lake
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Blue thunder 100 years OOPs 10 years.
We were blessed with another beautiful day here on the shores of upper red lake. Buddy Hillmens hwy is in great shape. There is so much room out there it could never all be fished. Its just crazy how every season is so much different when it comes to mother nature. With a month of walleye fishing left I have no idea where the time has gone. Man a'm I having fun this year.
I met Orion, Mike, Mike and Rodger at hillmens right on time at 9 am. After getting there road passes and bait we were off to check them into florida. They were up to 3 and 2 lost at the hole the first time I checked in on them. I spent a little time in Minnesota detailing. But Chuck left it so nice all I had to do was auger three more holes the only problem with that the auger was it was at home. I also had a few things to add into Montana. Then it was off to shore to have lunch, switch trucks and move Montana while I waited for Bob and Terry to call. I decided to grab a bite at westwind and had there toco salad Very good and hit the spot. Just as I finished Bob called and they had arrived so back to hillmens with the red baron. I should of stopped at home and switched trucks as when I got out there I still did not have the auger to finish the three holes in Minnesota. OOPs we all make mistakes. I guess I should just figure out why auger number two will not stay running and have a auger in both trucks. Auger # 3 is in the cites getting some work on it. Once Bob and Terry were checked in I came home and got blue thunder for her journey to no mans land. Montana is now out over 6 miles. Now I will really be able to watch the gas gauge go down. I think the red baron gets 3 to 5 miles to the gallon. Heading back in I stopped to talk to Buddy Hillmen. He mentioned I need to make my road straight north and not north west like I had on my first road to the north. Now I have two roads to maintain running northwest OOPS again. I thought a northwest road was perfect when we get a wicked northwest wind. Buddy knows what he likes and I have no problem cutting in a new north road as its fun cutting through the snow in the red baron.
Bob and Terry are not doing very well and had only landed 3 fish as of 8pm last night It never gets better the third night. Orion and the guys have did much better and that's in florida where Leroy and his family struggled? They were eating some fish when I stopped in. I think they had caught about 20 fish total in the 12 hours they had been here. I will move both today if they want but again I have decided to stay in the fishy area as its still producing fish. There' s a chance I may have to auger 30 holes today. Where is a young buck when you need one. I need to teach my grand daughter Ashly how to auger as she is a worker and I could have her come up and help me and finish the school year up here. I wonder what the honey bunny thinks of that. I will be busy on the lake again all day and already itching to get out there
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Busy busy busy,
With a turn over today. Friday have became very busy. Orion and the guys had slow fishing yesterday and last night. 3rd night that house has been fished? It never gets better the 3rd night. I moved old Minnesota for Terry and Bob. They caught one right away in the new spot. While visiting them last night I landed a keeper just jigging with no vex. Gary and Kay fished north Carolina and I will have to call them later to see how they did. I cut a new road north for Montana and will head out very shortly to pop the holes. I did notice before Ii cut trail the red baron had a major crack and needed to be welded asap. I cut the trail nice and slow and limped her over to Gary s where David helped me weld it up. We had to remove the vplow and spent about 3 hours working on it. I met Alex around 10 pm and escorted him out by Montana as he is andy's brother, Man had the winds picked up out of the south west, it was windy yesterday but last night it was just wicked out there . Hillmans road was in great shape with a little drifting but the off shoot roads were filling in quickly. There will be a lot of plowing today.
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plowing was not to bad as mother nature blew so hard it kept all the side roads open Sweet. Alex put the hammer on the fish last night. I'm hoping to set someone uup after a big pike tomorrow Gotta go
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Mother nature rules. The wind blew so hard Thursday evening it kept the roads from drifting in which was a nice bonus, less where and tear on the trucks. TYhere was some drifting but with out fresh snow it was not to bad.
Heading out to the end of buddy hillmens hwy. yesterday morning to auger out monatana and see how Alex and his buddy did it took a 1/8 of a tank of gas . So every trip out there and back eats up 4 gallons of gas in the bed baron. That 454 loves its fuel and you can watch the fuel gage plummet on those long journeys. Alex and his buddy did real well over night .Andy showed up around 10am with another friend towing a ice castle. After getting them set up I needed to go prep the houses for every ones arrival and say good by to Bob and Terry. Plowing around the houses from the drifting Thursday night, Detailing 3 houses, left no time for moving them so they all had to be fished where they were. Minnesota had only been fished one night so I felt comfortable they would catch some fish, North Carolina had one over night stay where it was and Gary and Kay fished it Thursday eve for 3 hours. Florida was on it 4th night on its same spot and it showed. They were not doing well at all and I will be moving them first thing this morning. Old Minnesota had caught 8 so far and they asked if I would move them today to fresh ice that house had not even been fished 24 hours before they arrived. Don arrived around 3 for north Carolina and they landed three with in the first 10 minutes of wetting there line and then nothing so I also will be moving them. Moving three houses is not such a big deal its prepping the new spots that's take time and the further we move the longer it takes. Letting fishermen rent the houses on Thursdays really throws a monkey wrench in things for the customers that arrive on Friday for the weekends . I may have to change my policy and quit renting on thusdays as the customers get screwed when they arrive on Friday and I do not have the houses on fresh ice. It hard to say no when its such a short season and we need to make hay when the sun is shining.. maybe when I get out there this morning the fishing picked up? I did set jeff/boar up in a new location just around evening .It started out slow but when kellie and I were visiting them a wave came threw and 7 or 8 fish were missed with me landing a 16 incher on a rattle wheel. I did talk to Boar around 11 and they were doing much better. Andy in Montana with his dad and brother were way happy and have caught 25 fish or so .They are good fishermen. Andy's buddy I think his name was Jim landed a 27 inch walleye on a tip up with a sucker. It was hooked pretty bad and they had no choice but to keep it as It was going to bleed to death. I also got a text from andy and one of there wheel houses landed a elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. Andys dad also lost one in Montana at the hole and he even had his hand on it. I saw the perfect spot to move Montana tomorrow when they leave and am excited to see how the fishing pans out in that spot. The other three houses need to go out to the end of the road, taking them out there today would take a lot of time so still not sure if I will leave the fishy area we have been in or just put the houses on fresh ice in the same area for the rest of the weekend. Then the whole fleet can go out there starting Monday morning. I will have to make a decision once I check in with every one this morning. I also have a area that has been real good all winter but can not convince any one to fish there.
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Checking in with all the houses yesterday morning and it seemed they all got together because they all wanted to be moved on to fresh ice. After Talking to Andy in Montana the fish house not the state I decided the whole fleet needed to head to deeper waters. Boars spot did not pan out and he said he got some sleep with the rattle wheels silent. He also decided to move out deeper.
Florida was the first house to be moved. moving out to the end of the road would make each move take around two hours. I explained that to all and everyone was on the same page. I decided with out the red baron out there the fastest way to set up would be setting the houses on the roads I made. That worked out real well and saved quite a bit of time. Boar was nice enough to come help me with the first 2 moves and I gave him a grade of c+. I do not think he liked that and was striving to get his grade up. I have my own system for every thing I do out there. I've learned from the best my mentor cusin Pete to take my time, do not rush things. I was right and it took about two hours to get florida reset. When I arrived with the second house North Carolina florida already had caught 4 fish. Donny thought it was odd I was setting up on the road but I explained that I made the road and it was not a big deal. After getting them set up it was off to get old Minnesota she is my heaviest house and takes a little more finess to move. I picked the perfect spot for Minnesota . I also spotted another spot the I plan on putting Minnesota on this week as I gaurenteed Kellie the "hammer" will catch a elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. Making the rounds last night felt great. All three houses had fish tales to tell. Moving all the houses in one day put a damper on my visiting and I may not have every ones names down this weekend. After having dinner with Boar and his kids at the boars nest I made the last rounds of the night and Kellie and I headed to Hillmens Tall Tail Taveren to listen to the Crappy floppers. they are a bunch of guys that get together up here once or twice a year and jam. We had a ball and even with Kellie's bad knee we were able to dance to a couple of songs. Very entertaining and a good time was being had by all. It was nice to see the bar full. Got to spend some time with Tyler and Audry from bear paw as they were there and Tyler even danced a song with Kellie. With only one house rented this week the plan is to detail all the houses this morning and have dinner with the sweetheart in old Minnesota tonight as Kellie is on a quest to land a elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. Did I mention Andy's dad landed one and missed one at the hole while there buddies in the red ice castle landed two. How sweet is that. The bad news or good news if your a fishermen is old Minnesota and Florida are open this coming up weekend as I had two cancelations, They must of heard the limit is down to two?
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Wow taking a look at the calendar the last 4 weeks of the season are looking kinda bleak. I have at least 1 sleeper open every weekend. I have made one reservation since the announcement to a two fish limit? I also had one rented on short notice.
Saying good by to everyone yesterday was a treat lots of smiles and some great fishing as the big move was well worth it. Montana came through with 2 crappies from the house and two more from the green ice castle plus another 11 elusive yet catchable upper red lake crappies next to Montana. The walleye action was real good also. Just like I stated earlier if your catching small walleye theres a chance there 's a elusive upper red lake crappie near by. Fun to see them that's for sure. I had a visitier yesterday while I was cleaning Montana as Danny from outdoor authority stopped by to say hello and see if I may be interested in a fish house on skids for sale. He has been busy and it was the first time I have saw him since the ice formed in November. Boar got a little concerned after his move Saturday as they had only caught a couple small ones. Things changed and they ended up having some fantastic fishing. Nice to see and again thanks for the help it sure makes moving house easier. yesterday was a half day off. After prepping/cleaning Florida and Montana Kellie the hammer met me at old minnnesota for a movie or two some fishing and dinner. Chicken stir fry was on the menu. I had to meet Jeff,Linda and Justin at hillmens around 3 to check them into florida. When I stopped in around 8 they had done real well with a few, yes a few cleanable perch. There son fishing in another house to the south landed two more elusive upper red lake crappies.. darn I drove right over them. Moving all the houses Saturday I bet I drove over 4 million fish too get there. Why does everyone always want to go to the end of the road? It must be the adventure. Kellie lived up to her nick name "THE HAMMER" in Minnesota and put the hammer on the walleyes. She caught a dozen fish to my 3 .On my defense I had a little nap as she said I was not fishing even though I had 2 lines in. Both had no minnow when I awoke so in a sense she is right. I can not help it as I love crawling up on the top bunk in old minnesorta and taking a cozy little nap. My mechantic rolled in around 4 and I got him set up in his house. North Carlolina. Him and Cory started catching fish right away and Phil was pumped to catch fish for the first time out of his house after it had sat brand new for 4 years. I have a long list of repairs for Phil to keep him busy during the day while he is here. Marty is also coming up today to help me out again. Even though the houses did so well they will be moved on to fresh ice for the weekend. I have nothing rented untill Friday and then only two of the 4 houses are rented. Minnesota will be put on the crappie honey hole I found and Kellie the Hammer will have her shot to land a elusive upper red lake crappie. Its been 3 or 4 years since she has landed one and is pumped to fish the new spot. the plan is to move it today. Being so far out is going to burn some gas so my plans are to only make one trip a day out there and work and eat lunch on the lake every day. The key is not forgetting anything, fat chance of that and I will have to improvise if I forget any thing for the day. I'm also going to shut down the heat On Montana for the first time since it has hit the lake. Marty will fish and stay in Florida while he helps me out during the day. Time to hit the lake as I prep Minnesota and wet a line this morning. I plan on fishing a chubby darter first thing as I just love the action and they hammer it when they come in. The rattle wheel will have a slick jig tipped with a minnow
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Hey cookie, it was a pleasure to meet your wife and and have supper with ya! The fishing really turnd on as you know. I really appreciate the jose quarvo and am saving thqt for eelpout fest. My kids had a blast so thank yiu for ur intell on the fishing spots it has really paid off with great memories. Heres a feww
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Dang fone.
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I really like my C pluse ya gave cause i graduated wih a D - lol.seeya this weekend if it turns out. Have fun with ur new toy
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It just keeps getting better. This has been one of my funest season since the crappie days. Having my trucks running so well is kinda scary" Knock on wood". I have heard a noise off and on from the red baron and it may be something in the transfer case. If I can not figure it out it will have to be driven tell it breaks . Kellie and I went and had dinner at Westwind last night the premier resort here in waskish. 8 pm and we were the only people in the bar. There was a big group having dinner in the dining area as they were headed to low and stopped for a day of fishing here on upper red lake. I have not driven the dodge prospector at all this winter .I replaced the fuel pump this fall and still could not get it running Phil shows up primes it a few times and has it running like a top. What's with that? dam mechanics. Marty rolled in around 4 and I got him set up in florida, He brought me up so new taillights for blue thunder. How sweet is that even the taillights take a beating out there.
Last night was the first day I wore regular shoes since I hit the ice ,man was that a funny feeling. I moved old Minnesota on to its new spot and she is already to go .Kellie and I will be fishing it hard the next few days as I promised kellie she would get her elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. Today I will hop scotch past Minnesota with Montana. They fished it hard and Dan the crapet man will be using it this weeknd. Minnesota, Florida and the cabin are all open for the weekend at this time. I may have to offer a deal so I can afford to atleast keep the heat on. Mother nature has been kind to us this year and I'am very thankful for that. With such nice weather Phil the mechanic is going to get spoiled as he has done some amazing work for me up here in the elements over the years. yesterday after going back on to the lake to help some guys out with a skid house.Ii decided I would go fish old Minnesota for a bit while Kellie was in blackduck. After the long drive I jump out of the truck and my fishing gear is in the other truck .Oh well I thought I will use the rattle wheels, wrong again one had no tippit line.One all the line got damaged and tangled and needs to be replaced. That left me with one rattle wheel. I got it set up, put in a movie and layed down on the bed and fell a sleep, never heard the rattle wheel go off or my phone when Marty arrived. Guess I'm getting a little burned out and need some more rest. With nothing rented all week it is a good time to get my second wind thank you very much
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hey boar still playing with the new toy, and thank you. Great pics for sure and what a special sunset. Mother nature rules. I think you guys can catch more fish if you stand up right instead of sideways. Just kidding as I cannot even figure out how to post a pic. oh well some day. Sorry we cracked the bhottle but we needed to toast the crappie gods.have you became a closet clamper yet?
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Lol, not yet. Maybe eeelpout fest. No need to appologize, i felt priviledge to toast the crappie gods with you. Should beup this week end again ill call ya.
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Had a hoot yesterday moving Montana and made a short video. It turned out kinda funny. You can see it on facebook under John Halvarson.
Marty started gutting my old Utah house and she is shot. If I want to rebuild we will have to start from the frame up as the wood is rotten. Oh well still worth rebuilding as the house is built on hydraulics and is a breeze to move and can go down the highway. It would be a good summer project. Marty has been catching a couple fish in florida but no groupers yet? he also almost has my tail lights done on blue thunder and should buttem that up today. We will be moving florida to a new spot this morning so its on fresh ice even though its not rented until Feb 6th yes Feb 6th is the next time its rented.
Phil my mechanic slammed out the work yesterday and we will be tearing into the right front wheel of the red baron today as I have a u joint ready to break. Kinda nice to fix it before it breaks. Nice having a mechanic here for a change. When I was younger I did all my own work but my body just can not do it any more. Just taking off 8 lugs nuts can be daunting at times. Phil and Cory have been catching fish and north Carolina got better the fourth day it had been fished. Kellie and I arrived to old Minnesota on its new spot about 3; 30pm. I then proceeded to put the smack down on the walleyes while Kellie the hammer missed more fish then she landed . It was funny as she kept losing them half way up. I told her every one was a slab crappie. She then got her line tangled with the phone charger line and the vexlar with a fish on. To funny. I was using a gentz worm, glow blue on the rattle wheel and must of had a bite every 5 minutes the whole time we were there. On my rod and reel I had a rattle flyer in pink . Just jigging was a riot no vexlar just sitting there jigging and they would smack it tipped with a minnow through the head. By 6;30pm we had burned through the minnows and called it a night as we were headed down to JRS for a fish fry. I have heard nothing but good reports about the fish fry and fries there's. Every thing I have heard was true a outstanding deal and the fries were as good as mcdonalds. The fish had a lite batter and did not over whelm the fish. Very very good. I will deffintly have my fish there again if I have the time. It would of been nice to just drive across the lake to get there but we drove off the lake and took the hwy. Marty, Cory and Phil also liked the fish. Kellie the hammer had chicken strips. Minnesota is not rented until the 6th also, I refuse to turn the heat off and Kellie and I will be fishing it in the same spot until the 4th or 5th of feb If I do not rent it before then. The spot I placed it is very fishy and I still expect Kellie to land at least one elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. I can not wait to get a pic of her holding up one of those world class fish again. Dan the crapet Man comes Friday for Montana and I will gaurentee they will catch at least 50 fish and have a grand time on a grand lake . Phil and Cory will be fishing North Carolina until Saturday. Today at 3 we are going on a adventure as we target a trophy pike. I'm excited and will be heading out at first lite to dig out the tip ups. The next 4 weeks look very bleak for rentals and the two fish limit has deffintly effected me. Oh well we will survive to fight another day. Glad I have 5 part time jobs in the summer. My plans are to look for the mother load of crappies since no one is coming to only keep two walleyes. If they want more then two they can always head down to the reservation and pick up a case of frozen upper red lake walleye and while there I would suggest buying a smoked white fish or two as they are outstanding
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Hears the deal Kellie the sweetheart does not read this forum so I would like to make someone a offer. 200 dollars for Friday Saturday night in florida Just think you can go to florida and never leave the state. I promise it will be 75 and sunny. thats 300 off for a weekend of fishing a grand lake. I can almost also gaurentee you will catch some fish?
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Hears the deal Kellie the sweetheart does not read this forum so I would like to make someone a offer. 200 dollars for Friday Saturday night in florida Just think you can go to florida and never leave the state. I promise it will be 75 and sunny. thats 300 off for a weekend of fishing a grand lake. I can almost also gaurentee you will catch some fish?
Wow 24 hours later and no takers. My offer still stands for this weekend Did I mention there is a chance of catching a elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. Marty Caught one yesterday morning in florida before I moved it.
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Wow Cookie, that's a great offer. If I had this weekend free I would be on my way. :doah:
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Pike fishing was another grand time on a grand lake. We were fishing dead suckers as there are no live suckers for sale in waskish that I know of at this time. I expect Hillmens will have some before the weekend. We fished pike from 330 to 530pm with 3 flags. Cory had the first flag ,the fish made a huge run . Cory is only 13 and was very nervous about setting the hook . . He had him on for just a couple seconds but very exciting. He was bummed but we explained that's how it goes. Marty had the second flag ,nothing there the fish dropped the bait . Phil had the third flag, He just reset the flag and we waited for it to be triggered but that fish also dropped the bait. When we pulled our lines Phil
s sucker had major damage. Oh well we will get them next time. We had a hoot enjoying the resource and that's all that really matters. I talked to Ole he is a trophy hunter fish and big game. His words of wisdom. You got to put your time in and you are not going to catch a trophy sitting on the couch.
I had Norn fish old Minnesota from 3 tell 6pm he landed 8 walleye, got his two keepers and got two bonus perch. he said he wanted to catch a ellusive but still catchable upper red lake crappie . I told him if he did Kellie the hammer would not be a happy camper. Marty landed one yesterday morning and sent me a pic . What's this he asked? Very funny Marty. I was so glad for him as I do not think he has ever gotten a upper red lake crappie. Phil tore apart the red baron and I will be off chasing parts today as we need a new used right front axle. The grey Goose had the part we needed but I junked it out this fall to gather money to buy blue thunder two. I also will be picking up some steal for north Carolina as at this time I can not jack it up with my railroad jack.
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yesterday morning mother nature decided enough is enough and gave us some bone chilling weather with a strong dash of wind for good measure. Kellie and I made a long awaited trip to Bemidji for needed supply's and parts for the red baron and blue thunder. Phil spent the time prepping north Carolina for some repairs. He also worked on blue thunder and added a few extra lights. Thanks Phil your the man. Marty added much needed tail lights to blue thunder while Tom was on a mission to remove a front axle from the old grey goose some where near Bemidji. Taking parts off a truck in that frigid weather in a open field is no longer my cup of tea. I now have bought 2 parts off the grey goose since I sold it and Doug has made his money back that he got it from me. Ouch oh well it all works out in the end I would not have blue thunder if I did not scrap it out.
I arrived back to waskish just in time to meet Greg with his wheel house, And Scott with his. I then escorted them out to a spot where they got set up for the evening as they are passing through on there way to low. Greg told me he would give me 5 bucks if I told one of the guys to get back in the fff truck. It was way funny and I guess you had to be there.
I them met the honey bunny "The Hammer" in old Minnesota for just a bit of fishing before she had to go to work. We caught nothing while she was there but we enjoyed another upper red lake spectacular sunset. After she left I landed three nice keepers in a row 1 on the rattle wheel with a blue genze worm and the other two jigging a rainbow colored rattling flyer using the vex. The generator was sitting right in front of the fish house on the ice running? After that it was off to put a propane on florida and check in with Marty,Cory and Phil. While visiting Marty the rattle wheel took off like a pike just hit it. I set the hook and it was not fighting like any thing I have ever caught on red lake. When it comes through the hole it was a Rock bass that also looks like it has crappie and sheephead mixed in it .Its the dammest thing and I have to assume its a rock bass? All though I do not ever remember catching a rock bass on red lake in 49 years of wetting a line. Marty says its a sheeepie LOL I then swung back over to Greg who still owes me 5 bucks? They had a couple in the bucket. I walked over to Chris's house who had slid in when I was not looking. I go in the house and there's 9 guys standing around drinking beer with one or maybe 2 lines down. We visited for a bit and had some good yucks before I again went to collect my 5 dollars? Headed out in a bit to catch the sunrise as Ii prep all the house for the weekend.
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It seems every day becomes hectic and I sure do enjoy it. The first thing I had to do yesterday was track down the part Tom got for the red Baron. Then I needed gas it seems now that I'm over 6 miles out on the lake I always need gas. I had to hook up with Marty as he was going to make another trip to Bemidji for more parts. I then went to see how Chris, Scott and Greg did in there wheel houses. They caught a few fish but did not pound on them When I peeked into Chris's house 5 guys and not one line down? I then set down and had a very exciting cribbage match with John. It came down to him losing in the stink hole and he had missed 1 point earlier in the match. It was a great game. I said my goodbys and headed out. After that I needed to auger out Montana and Florida 14 holes. Its nice having a new auger as auger #2 was just plane wore out. I still have not looked at auger #3 since it puked out on me. After finishing prepping the houses it was off to shore to meet Dan, Mel, Rob and Amy. After getting them checked in It was off to shore to say good by to the sweety as she had to make a trip down to the cities. It will be nice for her to see all the kids and grandkids and not be in a rush to get back home. I then had to escort Gary and Kay out to Old Minnesota and set them up for the evening. No sooner then I get them checked in Randy and Tammy call from Hillmens . So its back to shore to meet them and take Boar over to where we are going to fish for pike . Once I had then taken care of I went back to meet Boar. Just as I arrive he jumps out of his truck to tend to a flag up .A false flag! He resets and we start to talk. The wind is brisk as were closing in on dark so Boar says hey lets go sit in the truck. Apon arriving we are shocked to find the keys are locked in. A quick call to westwind with very little battery life left I tracked down a couple of tools to get into the truck. After getting in truck it was off to returns tools only to find out in my haste I left the wedge tool on the ice and snow. Now its pitch dark and the wedge is the size of a wallet and white to boot laying out there. I was able to find it with in minutes. I then headed out to check on everyone and say good night. It was nice to see everyone had been catching a few fish and having a grand time on a grand lake
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3 trips to Bemidji in 4 days. Coming off the lake Saturday evening I felt a grinding in the front end of blue thunder. I limped her home where we discovered we had a break problem. My plans changed sunday morning after saying goodby to everyone and visiting a bit I was back to shore to make a parts run as Phil will be leaving in a day or two. Even though having more problems with trucks is a downer it all works out since Phill is here to work on them. Just like I love working on the
lake he enjoys working on the lake trucks and takes a lot of pride in what he does.
The fishing was really good in Montana for Dan,Mel,Amy and Rob. They caught well over 50 fish with that many misses. The co dropped in on them and everything was good. The one thing with these guys as they know how to catch fish and are very good at it. Tammy and Randy also had awesome fishing for two days. The co also stopped there Saturday. Randy had one fish just under 17. The board I have in the house is made a little short just for that occasion so that worked out good. He told him make sure you go by that board and you will be ok. He also commentted that he liked the house. I had to give there car a jump as the little vw diesel would not start at 20 below. They said they will be back and bring there kids next time.
.Adam, Ashly Willow and Justin were in old Minnesota for only one night. They also had great fishing and want to come back. Randy and Brian are in north Carolina ,Randy is from Oragen and had never caught a walleye or eaten one. They had fresh walleye for dinner last night and randy said its his new favorite fish Nice. Phil and Cory were fishing Florida last night and also doing well. Crazy fish sure are biting . I have all week to move the houses for the up and coming weekend. The plan at this time is to put them on fresh ice in the same general areas.
Boar locked his keys in his truck Friday night, he had a key problem this weekend as Saturday they ended up on the bottom of red lake. He had a magnet and was able to retrieve them. I'm planning and hoping to target some big pike again this week and want to try at the crack of dawn tomorrow. North Carolina are two man house and are cabin are open this coming up weekend. there was some traffic this weekend I do not think the lake was overwhelmed which is a good thing.
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I was going to go fish old Minnesota this morning and detail Montana before I shut the heat down for the week. At minus 4 this morning and no rush to get out there I decided to stay in for a bit this morning and reflect on such a great season on such a grand lake. Plus the front tire on the prospector is flat. Blue thunders breaks are apart and the red Baron spent the night on red lake with Phil and Cory.
The last three season early ice has been crazy up here with fishermen. Mother nature has been very kind to us after last years fiasco. What a difference in a year. With 20 days left of the walleye season I will be a little sad to see it come to a end. I still plan on leaving the houses on the lake as I target perch and a elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. Kellie and I will be having quite a few dinners out there after the season ends as she has a mission to land a elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappy. I have came up with a few improvements this year and some upgrades to keep me busy this spring and summer. I was hoping that the owner at the golf course I work at would make it down for a day of fishing, and maybe she will still call. I also made a new friend in Marty. What a great guy he sure likes to stay busy and has no time for tv or movies., Him and his wife Shelly will be coming up for a 4 night stay later this year. I have caught more walleyes this year so far then all of last year. Kellie the hammer caught more in one day then she has in two years counting the summers and that was Fun, Fun, Fun. Then to watch her struggle the next night was a good chuckle. Every one she missed I told her it was a crappie. I caught a Rock bass visiting Marty last week. It did not have red eyes though. We named him sheepie as he looks like a crappie, sheephead ,rock bass mix. To funny. It seems as a kid we would go over to the river with worms and catch all kinds of different fish. But never a walleye in the Tamarac river. None of my houses have landed a big Pike this year? That really surprises me and not sure why there not roaming around the fishy areas I have been at. I still have to sleepers open the last weekend of the season. This year most of my calls have came from people planning last minute trips. I do have my repeat customers still coming that plan a head. I have also decided not to rent houses for one day if its a Thursday as it is not fair to the ones that have planned ahead to have a house that has all ready been fished hard for 20 hours.. Working on the lake this year and visiting customers has been fun, fun, fun. Buddy Hillmens makes a road that is unbeleavable there is no one on the lake more dedicated to a road then him and I’m proud to be a part of it. Lets hope mother nature is kind to us the next 30 or 40 days as the season winds down. My plans right now is to keep having fun, fun, fun and enjoying such a grand lake as Dave told me a few years ago. Its a Grand Lake a Grand lake and “It Owes Me Nothing Nothing”!!!
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Well said cookie. I want to thank you again for all yur help and knowledgein making wonderful memories for me and my family. It truley is a grand lake! It was qsome to huild a freindship with you and i am certainky going to be back, with spare keys to boot, lol. Thanks cookie!!
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Its in the other truck. The plan was to fish some tip up this morning with some stinky dead suckers I have in the shop. I can not smell but they sure look stinky. My plans have changed as # 1 auger is in the red baron with Phil and Cory. I guess that's a sign I should go in the shop and get # 2 auger going again. Phil will bringing up auger # 3 later this year. Its amazing how many things end up in the wrong truck and takes planning every day as tools and equipment keep getting switched around. Oh well. Yesterday I needed the drill. It has been in either of the two trucks all winter but darn if it was at home in the laundry room/shop. I solved the flat tire problem on the dodge prospector and Marty will be bringing up 4 decent tires . That truck has had the same tires its whole life I think? It came from a farm in southeren Minnesota.
Blue thunder needs some welding done today so I will be waiting to here from david this morning as she is broken up pretty good. The red baron v-plow is also tore up and needs a total rebuild, I will have no choice but to use it as is the rest of the season and go from there. I have taken some great pics this winter and maybe some day I will figure out how to move them around the computer and post them. I can post them on face book under John Halvarson but can not get them on cookies on upper red lake face book page.
Last night I arrived to old Minnesota around 4 pm. The fishing started off real slow and I thought yes its time to move, around 5:15 the fish came through in waves. I had a heck of a time keeping a minnow on the rattle wheel with the genze worm while I worked a clown colored rattling flyer on Kellies pole as I broke my 150 dollar custom pole last week. Jake will be happy as I will now be using the custom rod he made me. The fish just kept biting the third fish I caught was a nice 16 incher that became dinner. I must of caught 15 or 20 fish in the next 2 hours. Not one was over 17 though. I wonder where the bigger fish went? The guy that had 4 lines down earlier this year would not of had a chance. I heard through the grape vine that 7 feet is still catching fish. I'm thinking that' s where the bigger fish are hiding. Phil and Cory had excellent fishing last night also in north Carolina and that is the third or forth day in the same spot. I had Phil set some guys up in a wheel house Saturday with the red baron and they did real well when I had checked in on them Saturday eve. I think I was spose to drop off my card but never got back over there Sunday morning.
I had a killer dinner in old Minnesota last night. After dinner I put in a movie and crawled up on the top bunk of Minnesota and slept like a baby for over a hour until my phone rang. Mike from Minnesota resorts might call today They were fishing Milacs and not doing so well .He said he may need two houses today. I told him Montana and old Minnesota were catching fish and as long as I did not have to move them they were ready to go. I broke the tire chains on blue thunder or should I say wore them out and Kellie is bringing home a new set today. Phil hits the road today and it sure was nice having him and Cory here even though Cory ate my whole bag of chips ahoy cookies. It was a blessing having him here as he did a fantastic job on the trucks. I now have to baby them the rest of the season as much as I can any way. At 8 below this morning I'm going to work on the books to make the hammer happy.
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Wow where did the last two days go? Yesterday I never drove out onto the lake. This morning I'm going to go fish for a big pike for 1 hour tops. I have never really enjoyed fishing by my self as I like the competition and comradery. Back when we were younger we use to fish coon lake for pike. If a flag went up it was first come first serve so it was like tackle football or rugby as we raced to the flag. Wonder why my body hurts.
I did manage to get all my book work done for jan so that was a good thing. Said good buy and thanks to Phil and Cory and they hope to make it up this summer . Yesterday the had a presentation at the park about draining the big bog to the north. Learned a little more history of the area . I was amazed that they made over 1600 miles of ditches in 2 or 3 years. With the heavy tax burden on the homsteader's most could not pay the ditch taxes and moved on leaving the county almost bankrupt. All most !00 years later and you can still see the ditches from the air. Its a whole different world up there and very unique.
I then met David at Gary"s where we welded on blue thunders plow, glad we caught that as that would of led to some major damage if not addressed. Marty did not make it up and said he will be up later today. I plan on getting all the houses on fresh ice by Friday morning so all I have to do is pop 24 holes through 30 inches of ice. I will also move North Carolina but being its not rented I will not have to auger at this time. Its only rented two more times this season. Once we had the announcement of two fish my phones and emails have been silent. Seems crazy they will come for three but not two fish?
The easiest thing to doo would just move the house a little bit onto fresh ice as the two areas I'm fishing have been very fishy, But no not me I have two other areas that need to be explored so I will be heading out with the red baron to prep the areas before I move the houses. This is the time I need my helpers as I have to cut a trail with the red baron before I come out with blue thunder then remember to have the right gear in the right truck. I also have to be in Bemidji part of the day tomorrow so that will set me back a bit. The key today was taught to me from cusin Pete my mentor. Do not be in a rush, take your time. Its hard to do some times but I have most of the day. Another fun weekend is coming up and I plan on enjoying it to the fullest. Who knows maybe a ellussive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie is in the works. Only time will tell and as Ole says you have to put your time in for a trophy fish.
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My very stinky bait did not work yesterday morning .Oh well we will try again in the next few days. I stopped in the cennix where my wife kellie works after the morning fish and they now have suckers I could of been fishing live bait. I will swing in there this morning and pick up a couple for the weekend. It would be nice to fish tip ups before this snow storm hits if its still going to hit us I have not looked at the weather this morning yet.
I cut two new trails yesterday after pike fishing with the red baron, she sure does not cut like she use to and the v-plow will have to be addressed this summer with no excuses. I was in the auto body trade for 14 years but was a painter most of that time. I do know how to weld but when it come to fabrication I am lacking. After a quick lunch headed back out with blue thunder to move 3 of our for houses. Old Minnesota was the first to be moved, followed by florida and Montana. I finished moving all three houses blocked and banked with the holes augered in old Minnesota for Kellie and I. It took me just over 5 hours . I rented florida to some locals today from Kellier but I do not think they are sleeping out there tonight. Marty rolled in around 10 pm and spent the night in old Minnesota. Kellie and I wet a line in old Minnesota and kellie the hammer lost a big crappie at the hole. Man was she mad/upset its been along time since she has landed one. The walleye fishing was not spectacular like it was where Minnesota was but we did land a couple 6 or so, maybe more like ten" a few". I'm heading out this morning to prep florida for Collet and her relatives. I also need to detail old Minnesota and be back to shore no later then 930 as I have a appointment in town today. I then need to be back before 4 to meet Mark who is coming up in a wheel house. I have a spot all plowed out for them and expect good fishing in that spot.
I had a cancelation for old Minnesota next weekend the 13th 14th and still have Minnesota and Montana open the last weekend of the walleye season? Going to a two fish limit has slowed down the pressure on the lake which is a good thing since were over are allotted quota. Sucks for business but good for the lake.
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cookie? what da heck you talkin about??? snowstorm>> we have a place about an hour south and east of ya!!!!
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Got home Thursday evening just in time to meet mark and Ed at hillmens with there wheel house and escort them out to a place I had plowed out for florida. My plan had changed after I plowed it out and I did not move a house there. I then checked on Collett ,Kathy, Terry and Kurt as they had been fishing florida for the day. When I arrived to florida they were just releasing a 30 plus inch pike. Lots of excitement and some great pictures were taken. I feel this is a great sign that there may be a elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie in the area. Yesterday morning Ed landed one plus they had some decent walleye fishing. Collet and her crew ended up taking 5 walleye home so not bad but not that good. That pike may of effected there fishing. Wayne rolled in around 730 and was excited to get out theer and relax in old Minnesota. Marty and I joined him for a drink and a little bull shi. Fun was had by all with a few fish caught in the process. Friday morning brought more work as Marty had to pack up out of Montana. Kevin and Rolly rolled in around 2 and I got them set up just in time to come back to shore and meet John from Clam and his girl Jennifer after that we kellie and I plus Marty were to meet at old Minnesota for a porketta roast Wayne had in the oven. Kellie settled down into her favorite fishing spot in old Minnesota and proceeded to put the hammer down on the fish . With her vexlar charged and ready for action she put on a fishing clinic as we scrambled to grab her minnow after minnow, while are two rattle wheels never went off and my rod and reel never moved she landed fish after fish with two, yes two elusive upper red lake crappies . I said it was the guide and she said it was the fisherwoman. What ever it was it was magical and wayne was so happy to see her land those fish. We got some great pics with her smiling to beat the band. Before we had arrived Wayne had a flurry where he figured he caught 15 walleyes in a row and could not keep two lines down at the same time. kellie headed home around 10 while I checked on the customers, kevin and Rolly had some good action and were happy with the fishing, John and Jennifer were also happy and it will make my day much easier and less expensive as I think they should be happy with out having to move houses today. Tonight we will be having crappie and walleye for dinner and may play a little texas hold um. After sunday I have no one coming until Friday so I must shut the heat off this week to save on propane. I do not care to do it but it does not make sense to heat 3 or 4 house for 5 days with no one in them
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hey hey hey, great for kellie to finaly get the crapao's congrates to her!
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The Hammer working the karma!
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The Hammer wrking the karma twice as hard
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hey boar.........is there a reason your not in any pics!!!!!! hehehehehe!!! :scratch: :scratch:
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Caaaaause cookie sent them to me and i postd them for him, would be my first guesse. :doah:
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Just a tad more fun. Yesterday was a glorious day here on upper red lake. Checking in with John and Jennifer in Montana and everything was good as they had action on and off all night. Rolly and Kevin also had action and they were also good. I then spent some time in old Minnesota visiting Marty and Wayne and playing a few more games of texas hold em. We came back to shore around 1 so the guys could take showers and we could go clean our fish for dinner. 3 walleyes 6 perch and two crappies were just enough for another great fish fry at jrs. I knew Wayne would like the way they pre pair the fish as he likes a very light batter.
I on the other hand I like a heavier batter with a bite and like westwinds but trying to be a good host was my mission. We arrived back to old minnsota for some more fishing and cards where Kellie the hammer went to work landing and missing fish for the next 3 hours. Wayne fished that same hole hard with limited success while we were not there and could not be leave Kellie was on fire again. She did lose quite a few fish that may of been the elusive upper red lake crappies. She headed home at 10 while I stayed out with the guys where I landed a elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. Cliff ask me to plow a spot for his son coming up so will take care of that on my way out to say goodbye to our guests. It's my turn to make dinner and we will be having beef and venison roast cooking in the oven in Minnesota all day. As Wayne would say YUMMY. I will detail the houses and shut them down for the week. Minnesota is open next weekend and Minnesota and Montana are open the last weekend of game fish. I'll maintain the houses after the season ends for a week or two as I vacation on the ice, watching a few movies, playing some cribbage with Kellie and having her give me a couple tips on catching fish
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Even the guide gets lucky!
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I dropped the ball yesterday morning. Time I got out to the houses Kevin and Rolly had rolled out. I did get a message from them and they said they had a great time and landed two elusive but still catchable 15 inch upper red lake crappies. I stopped at Florida to see Jennifer and John but it looked like they were still a sleep. Checking on them a bit later and they were gone. I 'm waiting to here back from them to see how they did the second night. When I stopped in Saturday morning they were both sitting and fishing in the same spots set up the same way with John in his pajama bottoms and slippers the night before. It was like they never went to bed. John left me a couple new rod and reels Thanks again John. Old Minnesota got fished hard since Thursday. With the hammer working her magic and releasing that many fish I be leave the spot is burned out. Cusin petes theory is the fish leave a scent when there caught and released and effect the fishing. Minnesota will be moved today as it is spose to be another glorious day. It would be nice to get Montana and Florida also moved and set up as there is a chance of 3 to 6 inches of snow coming are way tomorrow. I have at least 1 mile of road I made to get to my houses and that will have to be plowed after the storm and wind. Sounds like Tony and his daughter will be up tomorrow and staying in Florida for 2 nights. We had a killer roast and venison dinner last night in old Minnesota. As Wayne would also say wacking. Its nice making a killer dinner on the ice as the food always taste better when your camping. Marty and Wayne will be heading home today. Marty and his wife Shelly will be back Friday as well as the hammers sister shell chick and her crew. Depending on if kellie and I fish this week Minnesota may have to get moved twice this week. Tony will help me move florida before they leave on Thursday so I have the house on fresh ice for Tom on friday. Minnesota is still open for the weekend at this time. Cliff has done real well all season in the spot he is fishing and yesterday I plowed out to him as his son was coming up with a wheel house. I also have to stop in and say good bye to Rodger, They were happy with where there fishing and this will be there last trip for the season so I expect Buddy Hillmen will be pulling there skid house to shore before the snow if possible. Wow only 14 nights left for the 2015 game fish season not sure where the time has gone but I can say we have had a grand time on a grand lake so far this season and as Dave told me it owes us NOTHING!!!
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With Marty's help we moved old Minnesota on a new spot Monday as Wayne decided to stay another day. That ment another day of visitting with my dear friend and spending time fishing, laughing ,playing cards, and eating. I decided a home made pizza would work for dinner. Marty and I moved Florida and Montana as well on to fresh spots. We buttoned up all the work by 430 and met at old Minnesota for another fun night . Kellie my honey bun" the hammer" showed up as well . It started off very slow and I commented I may of made a mistake in our new location as I pre paired the home made pizza. Then just like that it was fish on , we had a triple on the rattle wheels . Marty was on fire and landed a 20 incher hand over hand on 6 # line that wayne had tied onto the rattle wheel line. Not sure why he had so much line on there as when you brought it up you lost site of all the line. It did not hinder Marty though at one point he had a 18 incher in his hand and reached over to grab my fishing rod as it was tipping towards the hole. Kellie was also on fire landing a couple fish in a row .I have no idea how many fish we caught , We kept one for Marty to take home and have with his wife for dinner. Tony and his 5 year old daughter Katreana called around 10 pm to say they were on the lake and I was off to meet them and escort them to florida. About 11 pm Tony walked over to Minnesota to show us the two fish Katreana landed a fat 14 and a 13 elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie . Tony also said they had landed 8 walleye in the first hour of fishing. Kellie headed home about the time Tony showed up and I ended up spending the night on the lake. I talked to two gentlemen pulling on the lake Monday morning and they were up to 9 crappies, I read they ended up with 20? Yesterday the snow started around noon as we pulled off the lake. I had no plans to venture out . Tony called around three to tell me they retrieved the fishing rod they lost earlier in the day and it had a 38 inch pike on the end of it. He sent me a pic and its almost as tall as Katreana. My observation from the past seems to be true as that's 2 big pike that have been landed ,with to many small walleyes to count, plus a couple line breakers and hook benders. I also talked to Rodger to say good by and there spot produced 18 walleye the first day and puttered out after that with very slow fishing for them the rest of the weekend. Cliff's spot also burned out and he said it was just dead after Friday. Counting the two fish wayne took home and one Marty kept we harvested 6 walleyes 4 perch and 3 crappies while catching to many fish to count. Fun, Fun Fun.
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2 inches of snow turned into 2 feet atleast in some spots. Hit the lake at 9am with blue thunders plow breaking the trail to reopen Buddy Hillmen's road. Less then a mile into it and I thought how nice it was to be part of Hillmen's operation. I was also surprised how much snow was on the road. As I cut in the first pass Buddy and Kelly his mechanic and helper v-plowed the first section 1 1/2 miles. Once I got to the end of the road I turned around and again cleared snow from the north side of the road. The timing could not of been any better as I finished, Buddy showed up to start v-plowing while I cut the edge to the northwest road. I then got a hold of Tony to have him go get the red baron while I opened the road system I made to get to my houses. Plenty of snow had accumulated around the houses and I spent the next two hours cleaning up around the houses and my road as Tony helped with the v-plow on the main roads. By 1pm the main road was free and clear with just a few areas to clean up with blue thunder and her straight blade.
I then checked Dennis and Angie into Minnesota where Angie would be getting her first walleye through the ice. They are from Nebraska, I will be able to spend a little time with them today as yesterday was very busy day into the evening. I did not go out last night as driving on the roads with the snow blowing only collects more snow. Plus Tony is right next door in florida. I did talk to Angie on the phone and she got her first walleye last night a 14 1/2 incher. She also said they kept missing fish? I talked to Tony this morning and he said they would be needing more minnows and they missed a lot of fish over night? Could some of them be the elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie's? Tony and Katrina have landed three so far. In the last week I have missed numerous fish as well as Wayne, Marty, Kellie the" hammer" and I. I just talked to Dennis and they landed two 13 1/2 inch elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies. They released the crappies to fight another day or edchacated them. Sweet!!! They also landed a few walleyes over night. 18 below this morning time to baby the trucks during this cold spell. Al though I would like to get North Carolina moved at some point today.
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Only 10 nights left of the 2015 game fish season makes it bitter sweet for me. My plans at this time are to soak in every day and really enjoy the rest of the season. I have had a blast this year and love working on the lake the season is just to short and had flown by in a blurr.
Yesterday was another great day on such a grand lake. After checking in on Angie and Dennis I cut a new road to the houses with the red baron. She took a beating and at one point I could tell something was dragging. Upon further investigation the right side of the v plow had broken part of the scraper and the edge was digging into the ice. I will see what I can improvise this morning and go from there. Dennis commented when I was cutting the new road that every time he had a fish looking I would come by and chase it away OOPS. After discovering my broken plow I headed home to get blue thunder and move north Carolina and clean up all the road system with the straight blade. Once that was finished I stopped by too say hello to Dan from outdoor authority, He has also had a good season and such a nice guy. He said they had caught quite a few crappies a week ago but it had slowed down? I have a sneaky suspition where they went but getting there would be a problem until the walleye season ends then its game on for two weeks at least as I vacation on the lake with the hammer. Jake will be up to pop a hundred holes looking for the mother load and staying in his favorite house Montana. Angie and Dennis have had a grand time and were going to go have fresh fish at westwind the premier resort on the shores of upper red lake. . Tony and Katrina fished in his portable last night and it will be interesting to see how they did. Tony will help me this morning as I move Minnesota and Florida onto fresh ice for the weekend. Marty has Montana for the next 4 days and shell chick has north Carolina Friday Saturday and old Minnesota Sunday and Monday. I still have old Minnesota and the cabin open next weekend. One more plug if your looking for a gift for the honey bunny stop by Sandy's shop on the edge of town. Its always nice to bring a gift home to the sweety pie even if its a loacaly grown bag of wild rice. have fun this weekend and by all means be safe out there
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she never stops to amaze me. Last night the wind blew so hard I completely lost my new road as she was filled in this morning when I got out there. The fishing was extroidanary Tough word.
Duke landed 9 yes 9 elusive upper red lake crappies. Old Minnesota also landed 9 elusive upper red lake crappies. Florida got 3 that they let go to fight another day. Derrick and Drew ate 6 and released 3 crappies to fight another day. or educateded them. Marty and Shell chick, shell and Jeff, Kellie and I went to westwind for dinner. There special was a prime rib sandwich for 11 bucks and it was tasty. Best prime rib sandwich I ever had hands down.
Goose and his gang did real well for walleye but no crappies in there wheelhouses.. Mark and his buddy did ok and got 9 walleyes so far no crappies. Keith took good directions and landed a 16 inch elusive upper red lake crappie plus 3 more. Plus many many walleyes and two pike and a few perch. They landed on a very fishy area and I will keep a eye on that spot.
I spent the first 2 hours of the morning plowing out my drifted in road as the wind was just howling out there last night. I’m headed out now with blue thunder to do some clean up work. Have a grand day I know I will have a grand day on a grand lake that owes me nothing
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9 elusive upper red lake crappies!
pictures for cookie.
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9 elusive upper red lake crappies!
pictures for cookie.
Holy cow! A reason to go up in March.
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16" crappie
for cookie
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As the walleye season whines down I will be moving all the houses at least one more time. Montana has Danny and his dad coming this week so I will be moving Montana twice. I'm going to try my hardest not to cut any more trails and will be running my houses up and down the road system I have created. The red baron and blue thunder have gotten another tough workout. Both trucks burned up a tank of gas yesterday cleaning up the mess mother nature left us. Which is fine and is to be expected. Its part of the job. The red barons cutting blade on the right side is gone? With out that blade I need to baby her the rest of the season as I will be damaging the mounting structure without that blade. She has been a great v plow and deserves some loving care. I will be doing the cookie shuffle with the houses as I reposition them on new ice, they may only be moved 30 feet as that's all it takes if your on a fishy area. Bryce landed two elusive upper red lake crappies less then 40 feet where the hammer got her two and I got my one. Stopped to see Goose and Sandy last night and there house has been slow.50 feet away the other two wheel houses have had great fishing. Derrick an Drew had company as there buddies showed up with a wheel house and parked right where I was going to go? Then around 4 Jim another friend shows up with a fish in tow and driving a 2 ton dump truck. a 550 powerstroke wow what a truck. I'm not a ford fan but what a truck. Duke landed there 9 crappies 40 feet from where Minnesota was when Wayne was here. A very fishy area that's for sure. I did notice that there is something different there but will keep that to my self. It will be interesting to see how Rob does as they set up on a different looking area and then his uncle showed up with a wheel house a couple hours later. The 16 inch crappie that Keith caught along with the other 3 are at least 1 mile if not two from where I'm at. Very interesting that's for sure. They are set up in a isolated area that everyone out there just keeps on driving by. I have no interest in going there as its another two miles of plowing and not worth it. It will be a great area to search in march as we look for the mother load. Jake is coming march 5 6 7 with his family . His buddy Brady will also be coming up with a couple buddies. Lets hope mother nature is kind to us that weekend.
Shell chick and Jeff fished north Carolina last night and shell texted me a pic of the first elusive upper red lake caught out of that house. They move into Minnesota today for the next two nights and I will be taking a nap on the top bunk at some time in the next two days while the hammer visits her sissy. Marty and Shell headed to Montana after dinner last night, they have landed quite a few walleyes there and will be here two more nights. It was nice to see Tom' Mike' Leanord and meet Toms son Jack .They are fishing in Florida and have had outstanding fishing. Last year I had to cancel Toms trip as mother nature and a strangle hold on me. Life is so funny last year I was miserable trying to rescue the houses all season. This year has been a complete 180 and I'm so thankfull for friends and family. I think no I know grandma Olga would be very proud of us using the property to carry on her legacy and taking care of hunters and fishermen.
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Awsome report cookie!!
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No Nap in old Minnesota yesterday as the day just got busy. Blue thunder let me down when I hit the key .She turned over coughed and sputtered and then nothing. Bad connection or the starter went out. Jeff and Marty got here going after I headed out on the lake. When Jeff turned her off by old Minnesota again it would not start .I was not dressed for working on it out side so blue thunder spent her first night on the lake and we will replace the starter on the lake today. Shell chick landed another elusive upper red lake crappie last night out of the hammers favorite hole . Duke was up to 15 crappies for the weekend and will be pulling out this morning. Marty and Shell moved over to Florida so they would be running on the same generator as old Minnesota. Had a lot of good reports from the wheel houses I talked to yesterday with many many walleyes caught. A lot of smaller fish under 14 inches. I'm looking for the smaller ones as that's where the big pike and elusive upper red lake crappies like to hang out in my opinion. Brice made a small move yesterday while Goose stayed put where he was . I have to cut them a short trail this morning as the road I took them down is no longer plowed and not worth plowing. The wind did a 180 yesterday and with a little bit of snow at one time it was a white out for a while. Talked to Rob and his wife and they were happy with all the walleyes they caught but no elusive crappie as of yesterday afternoon. Minnesota did all right last night with quite a few 13 inch walleyes and the one crappie, that was the third night on that same spot. Once blue thunder is running I will do the cookie shuffle and move it just 15 yards or so as that s all it takes to get good fishing again. We will be fishing with Shell chick and Jeff again today and tonight and maybe just maybe I will get that nap on the top bunk in old Minnesota today.
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Just a tad under 15 and shell chick with her trophy
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Nice fish and love the stories cookie
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Just a tad under 15 and shell chick with her trophy
Whoa shell chick (if that's your real name...) what a beast!
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yes her name is shell she has a couple nick names I call her shell chick but she also goes by super star and she thinks she is the crappie queen with 5 landed so far. That fish and another she landed are going on the wall
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Still no nap in old Minnesota? Spent part of the early afternoon putting a new starter in blue thunder. What should of taken 15 minutes turned into a bigger ordeal. Taking are time and not rushing we were able to improvise the problem and have blue thunder up and running again. How sweet it is. I then did some clean up work with blue thunder and enjoyed a glorious day out there. Marty followed me home with blue thunder to give a ride back out to old Minnesota where we had frozen pizzas purchased at Hillmens store. Geovontie bar pizza, Jeff said it was now his favorite bar pizza. The fishing was again outstanding last night as Marty and Shell had action all night on the rattle wheels. Marty landed three elusive upper red lake crappies and a 23 inch walleye over night. He released them all. They ate fish last night while we were having pizza. Dan and his dad roll in today around 2 and will be fishing Florida the next few days. Old Minnesota and Montana plus the cabin are all still open for the last weekend of walleye fishing? Its been a very strange year with a lot of my reservation coming just two or three days out. I'm excited to spend some time in old Minnesota the next few days and who knows maybe today I will get that nap. Only mother nature knows for sure
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Good old mother nature made quite the mess out there yesterday. The wind was just howling out of the west north west. Buddy's main road and north west road was holding up really nice with the snow just blowing across the road. On the other hand my road I made to my fish houses stated to catch snow. Then had a little traffic go down it which captured more snow then I drove through a couple times with the red baron trying to blow the snow off the road into the wind. I could not see half the time and would have to slow down which piled up more snow witch in turn captured even more snow . When I came off the lake last night my road was down to a one lane trail and I will have to cut a new one to the houses. Dan and Craig rolled in at 4 and I escorted them out there where Criag could not see and pulled his all wheel drive into a snow bank causing him to get stuck. He has some type of all wheel drive car. I pulled him out and got them checked into Montana. When I came back at dark they had missed one . I was surprised and ask what they were using. All they had were big golden shiners from superior. I'm going to pick them up some fatheads on my way out this morning. I just came back from the store and the red baron was acting up. Fills like some kind of miss with lack of power. That's no good at all. Not sure what I'm going to do about it but have to address it before I put her to work. I said good bye to Jeff and shell chick yesterday morning .They had a grand time and it sure is/nice having family come up. Marty and Shell hung out all day as Marty helped me prep houses. I fished old Minnesota for about a hour last night before dark. Caught one walleye that would of been a keeper. I then missed two that got my minnow. I was set up with a rattling flyer and a dropper line with a green genze worm. Watching the vexlar a fish came charging up past my minnow and smashed the rattling flyer with no hooks. I set the hook from the excitement but with no treble hook on it I had no chance to catch him. I can not remember but some one had just ask me with that set up does a fish ever hit the flyer. The anwser is yes. At minus 20 this morning I will not be moving any houses until tomorrow when I plan to move three of the four. I really need the red baron running right. I did rent all 4 houses for the last weekend of walleye season.
Mother nature won the battle yesterday and kept me from taking a nap in old Minnesota. I do not think I will even attempt to take a nap today.
I also had a talk with Buddy about his road. He wants to keep it open but could use traffic and maybe a couple rentals to keep it maintained to his liking. I have all my houses rented on the 5,6,7th of march for a crappie hunt. I also have florida or old Minnesota rented next weekend the 27th 28th. Buddy said all his houses caught some crappies last weekend. For all you guys that missed the crappie boom here's a chance to land a couple of these very elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies
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Pics for cookie
16"
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A 16 and a 14 he caught the next day
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A tad under 15
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Crapies
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Thanks for posting the pics boar.
Yesterday was not one of those better days for blue thunder or the red baron and a few other things. I gassed the red baron up early to get on the lake and evaluate the road to our houses. I new from experience that I had lost it as I traveled it with others while it was blowing. Oh well not the first time and for sure not the last time. Leaving the cennix gas station the red baron did not seem right ,It was running good and sounded good but when I punched it I mean gave it a little gas it felt like it had no power. On and off the gas on the way to the lake I knew to take her home and fire up blue thunder.
Buddy Hillmen's road survived the blow in pretty good condition with a few spots collected with snow but 90 percent of it still glare ice. It never stops to amaze me haw the snow drifts from the tiniest object on the lake. I think you could create a 3 foot drift with a marble given enough wind and light snow. I arrive to the road running east to the houses and she was pretty much blown in, I crossed country to check on Dan and Craig to check on them in Montana and bring them some minnows as all they had for bait the first night was big shiners. They landed two over night and missed quite a few. Looking at here set ups I feel they can use a little help. Neither of them have rod and reels. Craig has two jigs sticks one is about 4 feet long and the second 3 feet long .I think they had 20 lb test on them. Dan had a tip up set over one hole. A rattle wheel on the other with a shiner and a hook and a very small sinker. I told them I would bring out some rod and reels when I came back in the evening to check on them. I then cleaned up the roads around the houses and headed back to the main road to clean up some of the areas that had snow covered. I pulled back in the drive way around 2 pm to find I had broken a plow hose. Kellie pulled in from work and I had her follow me over to drop off the red baron to have Tom see if he can find the problem with lack of power. I also had to get a propane filled to Thaw the frozen pipes under the house. I got everything set up to thaw the pipes and the torpedo heater quit working. Dirty Dog. I then removed the broken line and not with out a fight. Darn mother nature. I headed to blackduck to get a hose made. Brandon was coming up with Bobby to fish florida so I had them pick me up a new torpedo in Bemidji. We met at our house around 6 pm where I got the heat under the house and put the hose on blue thunder so I could escort the guys out to the house. I arrived back home around 8:30, beat but not broken. Today will be a much better day as I try and move 3 of the 4 houses and cut a small trail for now until the red baron is feeling better. I did talk to Brandon before I went to bed and they had landed two 14 inch crappies or was it the same one twice? He also said quite a few small walleyes as what I would expect
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No problem cookie, sorry if things get misspelled from time to time, dang smart phone. I really enloy reading indepth what a resort owner/plow man/mechanic/excavator/ect ect ect gose thru during the winter season, it really gives one a reality check that there is way more to than just droping the plow on the ice an moving snow, thanks for all you do out there cookie!!
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Not a problem Boar I absulutly love just love working on the lake and getting to know the fishermen I meet. There are so many nice people in this world and it sure is great to help them out It Makes Me Feel Good. As far as all the issue you have to be a handy man up here as much as possible or you will not survive as it can be brutal at times.
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Wow it has been just crazy the last couple of days. Thursday I moved 3 of the 4 houses. Dan and Craig were in Montana one more night so she would have to be moved Friday morning. I also got Minnesota augered and prep so the hammer and I could have dinner out there and maybe just, maybe catch a elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. While cooking dinner in the stove we relaxed and watched a movie. After a killer dinner steak and bake potato with veggies. I laid down on the bed where I passed out ?fell asleep. It still was not a nap considering it was well after 9 pm. kellie also fell asleep. next thing I know its 1 in the morning and we are low on gas as I had no intention of spending the night out there. I borrowed some gas from Tammy and Randy and they landed two elusive yes still catchable upper red lake crappies. One was pushing 16 inches and Randy released it. Very Nice. They kept the other one a 13 or 14 incher. Plus they had some good walleye action. Kellie and I did not fair as well and only landed a handful of walleye with two that would of been good keepers, the rest were small scuffits.
Should of went home Thursday night. Friday morning was hectic to say the least, First thing I jump in blue thunder hit the key and nothing. Darn the luck. Standing out there in my pajama bottoms and tennis shoes was not happening. I new it was a connection problem the only wrench I had was a huge cresant wrench but I was able to loosen and re tighten the 5 1/6th nut, and fire her up. I vacuumed Florida and was augering the holes when the number 1 auger just stop running, What the! After fiddling with that for 20 minutes I again had to inprovise and have Randy help me out with his auger. He had offered to help me earlier so he was eager to help which was awesome. We punched out 18 holes and moved Montana to its new location. What a great guy, you meet so many nice people on the lake and make many lifetime friends. Tammy and Randy rented florida 6 weeks ago and brought there own wheel house up with there two grand kids this weekend. After getting everyone checked in I got home at 3pm to find a broken water line under the house. Dang the luck? I got the water turned off which was a chore in its self and will be repairing that later today. The houses all caught some fish last night but it was slower then it has been all year. Only a couple elusive yet still catchable crappies have been caught in my houses so far. As far as I know everyone is happy and I will be hitting the lake shortly.
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A very nice way to end the 2015 game fish season. Minus 29 right now blue thunder fired right up but is so cold can not steer? No squeals just tight turning. I 'am letting her run for a while . Making the rounds last night was a pleasure, again on the tired side when I hit the lake after dinner must be the food putting me to sleep. First stop was old Minnesota with Scott and his crew. I visited for a bit .Old Minnesota let me down on its new spot ,They did manage to get 8 walleyes to take home but it was the slowest bite all season I think. Nest stop florida with Dave and John while visiting john was working a chubby darter with a minnow head. A fish hit it and he really set the hook. I nice 16 inch fish. Then it was dave turn to bang two in a row off the bottom of the ice. Nice to see some action. I stopped to check on Tammy and the kids as Randy's truck was gone They had just released a 18 inch walleye when I got there. Randy had taken one of the boys out to the spot they rented florida from me 4 weeks ago. Wow diehard fishermen as its was a little breezy and very cold out there last night. John and Mitch were not at Montana and Larry's and his crew had called it a night in north Carolina. I talk to Rob and they had had good action and were up to 20 walters caught. Then a quick stop to check on Keith and his crew. They had moved from a mile out and were having better action with a 18 incher landed while I was there. They did land a beautiful 33 inch pike a mile out Saturday morning. The upper red lake elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies were very elusive last night
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Still no nap in old Minnesota. Almost though. After saying good bye to all my fishermen and friends I checked the houses and headed over to Minnesota where I was going to put in a movie and wet a line , Relax and maybe just maybe fall a sleep on the top bunk. About the time I nodded off I got a call and Pete needed a jump after hanging up Nate called and they needed more then a jump. I headed over to Pete and jumped his diesel. After a few minutes of a good charge she fired right up. Pete had good fishing and landed two elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies. Montana landed two for sure. Marlo landed three that he released to fight another day. Randy released a 16 incher but had a great pic of it. They did keep the smaller one I think. I heard through the grape vine that a rental house got 23 and another got 6. Buddy Hillmens has his houses set up in crappie country and Char Hillmen landed three Friday night. Buddy also said most if not all his houses caught some ,a couple or a few crappies.
His plans as of now are to keep a few houses out there and maybe get a few fishermen to extend the season. His road is in great shape and goes right into the heart of crappie country. It would be nice to figure out the perch. I be leave they have a tendacy to hang out in the transition from mud to gravel as they like to dart in and out of the mud. I have a good idea where to target them and as the weather gets nicer I will see if my hunch pays off. After helping Pete I had to head to shore and get the torpedo heater and propane as Nate's truck needed more then a jump. We covered the wind blown side with blankets and I left my jumper cables so they could jump it with there Jeep after a bit. I went back to Minnesota where I tried to watch the rest of the movie I was watching. Nate brought my torpedo and propane back and last night I realized they kept my jumper cables. darn the luck. About that time Ole rolled into town and I got him set up in Montana since it caught at least two elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies. I then set up Gary, Kay, Joanie and Mike in Florida to see if they could get a couple wallye's for the end of the season. Kellie the" Hammer" came out and met me and Ole in Montana where we ate some chile that ole threw together and it was so good I had two bowls. We visited and caught a few walleyes. Ole was tickled pick to land two nice keepers to take back home. he is going to hang out for at least a couple days and see if he can get a few elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies to TAKE HOME. He has a trophy crappie on the wall at his home so he would have to catch a 17 incher if he wanted to add to his collection of animals and fish mounts. We hope to go see him and the Greek and Leah in Alaska before they retire and leave Alaska. It does not look like I had a good enough year to make the trip this summer but who knows maybe in 2016 it will happen. The hammer landed a nice 16 and half while we were visiting and we released it too fight another day. I thought for sure she would get a elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie but no luck last night. From the knowledge and intell I've gained this year and from the past a lot of these fish have been caught after 9 pm at night. I know Shell chick got one of there six at 10;30am but the others were caught in the middle of the night with here trophy fish caught at 12;30 am. Jake is so pumped to get up here on the 5th 6th and 7th of march and can not sleep well. He just loves catching these fish and has read every thing a guy can read about crappies.. A lot of those 10 to 12 inchers we have caught over the last couple years are now pushing over 13 I think. Its not a crappie boom but there was a couple classes that made it through the winters to become a Minnesota class fish. Cool to see that for sure. I have not explored around much for those secret crappie holding spots but will be the next 10 days to point Jake in the right direction. No nap in Minnesota today as I have some frozen broken pipes under the house and now have no water in the cabin for some reason. I 'm hoping its not a well problem. I also would like to get Minnesota moved to a new location as the spot its at was a bust.
I would like to say thank you from the bottom of my heart to all the fishermen I took care of this year and hope you have a great summer and see you again next winter as we prepare to some more fun fun fun on such a GRAND LAKE
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Thanks for all the stories cookie
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Wow mother nature reared her ugly side yesterday as the winds blew out of the south at who knows how many mph. I had a relaxing morning not having to rush out on the lake was kind of a relief . Ole came off the lake around 10 to help me with our water problem. After fiddling with that for a hour or two Ole was off to Montana to have some lunch and just wet a line and relax. He had plans to go fishing with Buddy and Scott and reminiss about his commercial fishing days in Alaska as Scott and Buddy fish in the same areas he did years ago. I headed out onto the lake around 2pm to check the houses and grab a few things from the weekend. The wind was blowing the snow right across hillmens highway and was nice to see. Heading back home two hours later and the snow was starting to drift across the road bank to the south. Darn the luck. I talked to Buddy around 9pm and things have turned real ugly out there.I will be cutting the north edge this morning with blue thunder and buddy will start v plowing the highway. Ole is hunkered down until I get out there. I’m not sure if they hooked up and fished or not. Now the winds have switched out of the north west and again is howling making quite the mess out there. Not what we wanted but we have no choice but to deal with it. The trail to my houses are more then likely blown shut but with smaller berms the first half mile I do not expect 2 feet of snow down the trail . I imagine there are some mighty drifts around the houses though. . I do not think I will be moving any houses again today. I do have to have Minnesota on fresh ice by Friday afternoon for Stacy and her husband. I hope and plan to have all 4 on fresh ice buy Friday. I now need to go pull the carb off of number 1 auger as its a very important tool of the trade. Wish me luck as I head out to battle mother nature today
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Marty rolled in around 8am. We fired up blue thunder and repaired a leak in the plow before we headed out on the lake to escort Ole in as she is really blowing and drifting out there. I would say percent of the road has snow drift all most across the road. When we arrived to my road to the east she was gone. We jumped to the wind blown side and headed east. Arriving to Montana I was greeted with a big smile as Ole was limited out on 10 elusive upper red lake crappies plus his two walleyes from sunday here at the house. His plan fell through last night with the wind blowing and he just hunkered down in Montana and mother nature treated him to a special moment catching 10 elusive upper red lake crappies in just under two hours from 9 to 11pm. It could not have happened to a better person and I’m sure he will share all that fish with a couple good friends in the town he lives in. Were off the lake for the day as it is just nasty out there and we will not be doing any plowing until tomorrow.
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Ole with a limit of elusive but still catchable upper red lake crappies
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Plenty to plow that's for sure. I Imagine we will be helping re opening Buddy Hillmen's road today. Yesterday would of been futiel as mother nature was running the show yesterday. All the outfitters that made the mad rush to shore paid off for them as blue thunder and the red baron are prepped today for a work out. The red baron is still with Tom the mechanic but I need to pick her up and use it the way it is. Marty is going to run to Northome, as yesterday I took the carb. off of auger number 1 three times and still can not get it to run properly. After seeing Ole's 10 elusive upper red lake crappies he was chomping at the bit to spend the night out there with his son Rick. All the drifted snow on our trails we felt it was a bad idea, so they stayed here on shore in the cabin. Once I get back to the house's there will be a ton of snow to move with a couple spots that I may have to go around. Mother nature has changed my plans to keep the houses going up and down on the road system and I have to make at least one final new road system for the house's for this last 12 days I plan on keeping the houses out. It does feel good to not have to rush out the door in the morning as every thing slowly whines down. We will get Marty set up in Montana tonight and the hammer is going to make us dinner. Not sure if any houses will be moved today. I'm looking forward to spending some time in old Minnesota with the Kellie my sweetheart "The hammer" But I have to steal a nap when were not fishing together
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Mart took the auger to Northolm and it turned out auger # 1 had bad gas and were thinking Number 2 also has bad gas. OOps 30 bucks for that. Blue thunder went to work around 930 plowing Buddy Hillmens road. Tom brought over the red baron with a expensive tune up of 473.00 Ouch. Marty headed out and arrived around 12 30 to help with the road. by 230 we were done with 10 miles of road. and We then cut a new trail to the fish houses. Just as I figured plenty of snow drifted in the road system and around the houses. I open up the road and cleared the snow away from the houses while Marty prepped old Minnesota for its move. Everything went smooth as silk and we had her blocked and banked by 430 and I was headed off the lake when I noticed one of my chains on the rear tire was gone. Darn the luck. I had no luck finding it and maybe just maybe I will find it when the snow melts.
Marty and Rick spent the night in Montana and were hoping to land 2 elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies so Marty can make his fish soup. Coming off the lake there were three guys setting up a portable, Then half way home I met a truck towing a wheel house. From my count there were three people fishing last night.
Today we will get Florida moved for Stacy and her husband arrival tomorrow. Depending how Marty did we may be also move Montana on to some fresh ice fro the next couple nights.
I also noticed my right front wheel bearing is squeaking really bad on blue thunder 2 . I will have to limp it through the rest of the season, as I sure do not want to take it apart and take a used one off of blue thunder 1 in this weather. Kellie the hammer and I will be having dinner on the lake tonight with Marty and Rick as Marty is making a beef roast. We also plan on fishing old Minnesota in her new spot. Lets hope for a nice relaxing evening fishing and having dinner with a new friends. Life is good on such a grand lake. 8 days and counting jake
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My guess would be Montana is burned out after Ole nabbed a limit of elusive upper red lake crappies from underneath her. Marty and Rick did not have much action . They did lose a couple fish that may of been crappies. I had to run to Kellier yesterday morning and Marty met me at the town and country around 11am where we gassed up and made our plans for the day. We also had to get 3 propane's as I still have a issue turning the heat off the houses. Kellie the hammer would be coming out later to fish old Minnesota with me and have dinner with Marty and Rick. I saw in the distance Buddy and his mechanic were also fishing last night. Buddy Hillmen had set up 4 or 5 wheel houses for the day that were here filming a show for national geograpfhic. That is going to air some time in the future. Last night episode featured Hiem's Log Homes out of Kellier. Kinda cool. The hammer showed up around 4 after we had moved Minnesota and Florida. We got our lines down and there is something about Old Minnesota as we put in a movie and I was asleep in minutes lying on the bed. The hammer was marking fish right from the get go . After dinner another movie a full stomch and I again fell asleep on the bed. Opps sorry honey. I was awakened a bit later with the hammer dangling a elusive upper red lake in front of me. She was using the vex and may have lost a couple in the next couple hours. I had two rattle wheels down and missed a couple fish on them. One had a small jig with waxie's. When it went off I thought for sure I had a elusive upper red lake crappie but instead caught a nice walleye. The hammer out fished me again and I may have to take away her vexlar to give the fish a chance and maybe I can use it. My plans right now are to enjoy old Minnesota and keep looking for the mother load. Thnaks for letting me nap sweety. Today I have a couple wheel houses I'm going to point in the right direction . We will move Montana and north Carolina and then be spending another evening fishing old Minnesota and who know maybe I will be able to stay awake and fish
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Not a good way to have the season coming to a end. When we hit the lake Friday to move Montana and north Carolina I noticed the plow seemed to be acting kinda different. It seemed the plow was scraping away the banks from the house but it just seemed like it was not turning or going up and down the same. I asked Marty to see if he noticed anything when I crept along the house but he got side tracked with the number two shovel and I was trying to get done and basically made a bone head move and did not get out to see if any thing was up? After moving both houses and getting them set up I parked blue thunder next to montana for the weekend and went to meet Stacy and Brian as they would be celebrating there anniversary in Florida. After checking them in I set up a couple wheel houses to the west of me and settled down in Minnesota to kick back rest and wait for the hammer to come out and fish with me. We had a frozen pizza for dinner and came off the lake around 9pm with not a single elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. Darn the luck. Saturday was just a take it easy day enjoy mother nature and good company Marty and Shelly and checking in on Stacy and Bryan. They did not catch a elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie and neither did the three wheel houses I set up. I counted 25 trucks on the lake Saturday with a mixture of portables and wheel houses on the lake. After coming in for dinner Saturday eve, Kellie and I headed out to old Minnesota where we would be spending the night hoping to tie into the mother load. Marty and Shelly joined us as we had a couple cocktails ,visited and fished for the very very elusive upper red lake crappie. Sunday morning I awoke to a beautiful upper red lake sunrise and not a crappie to be had. I had a call from a gentlemen from Bemidji that was up Saturday and they landed 22 elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies. Darn the luck. I guess its like throwing dice out there as I lost them .They must of went east, south, or north. After a harty breakfast of eggs and bacon we packed things up and I warmed up blue thunder as she had spent the last two nights sleeping on the ice. Driving in I heard a bang sound like something was bottoming out I stopped got out of the truck, walked around to the front and to my disbelief half the frame work on the plow was broken and destroyed, bent into a mangled mess. The left ram was dripping fluid and I may of also damaged that. Wow what a bone head mistake I have made. I guess that happens when the season stretches out and you get a little worn out. At this time I'm not even sure if it can be repaired. I'm 85 percent sure that it will not be in operation the rest of the season and the red baron will have to carry me through . My plans are to move all 4 houses one more time before Friday to a completely different area . Jake will be up Thursday to help bank the houses as there will be a lot of work with a number two spade shovel with out blue thunders straight blade. Jake is pumped to get up here and has all ready packed all his gear 4 days in advance. He has new auger blades and a extension . His passion for fishing is incredible, if its for upper red lake crappies, walleyes or sheep head. Sturgeon on the rainy or musky in the fall. If it swims in the water he wants to catch it. I on the other hand. I like fishing with friends and enjoying the comradery . I love seeing people's eyes light up when they have a big fish on the line and the excitement in there voices. Kellie the hammer is so funny. When she has a fish on she never says I got one! She just reels it in and says crappie, perch, walleye or big northen. Its to funny. This coming up weekend should be a gas as we spend two and half days searching for the mother load with good friends and new friends
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We dodged a bullet with just a trace of snow. On the other hand the winds yesterday sounded like a freight train. I had business in Bemidji and never went out on to the lake. I have seen a trace of snow make a mess so we will see later today what it looks like out there. I will be in the process of making a big move in the next couple days. The first thing is to cut a new trail to the un fished area I will be exploring, from there I will be using the red baron as a full time truck as she will be commissioned to also move houses this week, un bank houses and bank houses. The number 2 shovel will also be in play? Jake and family will be up tomorrow and he will help get all the houses set up for the weekend of chasing the mother load of the elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. I think Jake has vision of catching a hundred crappies in 3 days and he has the passion and dedication to do it. Should be a lot of fun. The weather is looking good so that's already a plus. I know of at least 6 wheel houses that will be coming up and I be leave Buddy Hillmen has a couple of his houses rented and a couple still open. I also have a couple guys coming up next Tuesday Wednesday and will be setting them in what ever house has the best crappie bite just like I did with Ole. I also plan on spending some more time in old Minnesota the next 12 days. I still have many naps to take and a few movies to watch. Knock on wood the weather looks like its just going to get nicer every day in the next two weeks.
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Well the big weekend has arrived for Jake and family. First thing Jake if your reading this we are not going to be moving Montana everyday you are here? Some how I feel that we will be moving if you find a hotter bite then where we start but you may have to twist my arm to move. I'm expecting a grand time on a grand lake with good friends and family. Kellie "the Hammer" and I will be fishing Minnesota tonight. We will have to head in around 10 as she works Friday morning. I'll be heading out on the lake shortly to check on things before you arrive. Then I have some chores to take care of until you guys arrive. We will take our time and be patient and get Minnesota and Montana set up. If every things goes smooth it should take a bout 3 hours using the red baron. Drive safe.
I set Joel and his wife up yesterday where a 16 inch crappie was caught. Joel said they lost one right away at the hole so that was a good sign. During the day to boot. There are 4 or 5 wheel houses set up in a area that the guy said they did real well on the elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies this season. I also got to see where Frank has been fishing as him and Russle brought out a wheel house. Not sure if Chad and his buddies from Bemidji will still be out there this morning but Chad said they have caught 82 since they found that spot last week. My new 1 mile driveway goes right buy them with in 20 yards. I'm sure Jake will want to put Montana and Minnesota close to that area? I expect since there from Bemidji they will be hitting that spot a lot as the season winds down. Looking very forward to wetting a line with the honey bunny tonight. Maybe I will accidently forget the vex and she will be lost? That was I can out fish her ,maybe?
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Jake rolled in around two and we were off to move old Minnesota and Montana. I have high hopes for the spots I had picked out. We started to move Minnesota first then moved Montana first instead as Jenny and Gaberl were waiting in the truck to get into Montana. While Jake prepped Montana I retrieved old Minnesota and got her banked and augered for the Hammer and I. I then met Brian and Jeff on the driveway where I plowed them a spot right on the mother load. Jake checked in on them at 9pm they had caught over 20 elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies. Joel came over before dark and got two just at sunset before he packed up as he did not have any lights. Tammy and Randy rolled in around 7pm and I pointed them to a spot .When I came off the lake at 10pm they had caught 2. Jake popped a dozen holes outside and fished in the breeze tell 8pm or so and never got one. He then took Gabe and the portable over by Jeff and Brian where they caught 3 and lost 3. Shawn has caught 3 since last night. Kellie and I had a nice dinner chicken Stir fry and lost a couple fish that may have been crappies. Jakes two buddies rolled in around 1am and caught two right away out of old Minnesota. They are fishing North Carolina the rest of the weekend. Jake is on shore right now and is chomping at the bit to auger holes. We went out this morning and fired up the heater in Florida and north Carolina and augered them out. The rest of Jakes crew will be trickling in today. I have a couple spots all picked out for Jake to auger for me as we spend the rest of the day fishing outside in the elements. I think the way its looks we may end up with a sunburn or two
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Yes that was fun making the rounds last night as everyone was tickled pink except Casey . He made the mistake of fishing next to jake and watched him land 17 fish in a row while he only landed two. The way everyone got checked in and not going over the same routine has made it impossible to remember every ones name but I may have them down buy tomorrow. I did not wet a line last night with the group as another engagement took longer then expected. I may of missed some great fishing but I did get to visit with a bunch of guys that were giddy from all the evnings excitement. The only thing that could of made it better as if they were landing all those fish in the houses instead of around the houses. For some reason the wheel houses I set up had fantastic fishing and I have no clue why old Minnesota can not land on one of those magical spots for the hammer. The red baron is going to get another work out as I now want all the houses on fresh ice for the week ahead. I was hoping to leave them in the same places for the last week. Oh well give me more days to stay busy on the lake
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Well I said my good buys to a bunch of nice people/fishermen yesterday. With Jakes crew all spread out all had great success and built some outstanding memories of what a grand lake red lake can be. Talking to them all everyone wants to come back same time next year and do it all over again. We all decided Saturday while we were having lunch at westwind that all the crappies caught Saturday night would be released to fight another day un less it was a true wall hanger. A guess would be COUPLE HUNDRED CRAPPIES WERE LANDED JUST BY jAKES CREW. Another guess would be there were about 75 to 100 fishermen or more in the little village I created. There must of been 15 to 20 wheel houses set up for the weekend. Most of them stayed in there shacks and I assume they had some decent fishing. Chris and his two buddies only took home 8 as they are planning on a fish fry with a small group of guys. I talk to another gentlemen Chuck him and his wife ended up with 9 or 10 and they were tickled pink. Mike traveled over 700 miles one way to land a true trophy and has a 15 1/2 for his man cave. Tammy and Randy took home 4 and released two big ones the first night and never saw another elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. They were set up the furthest from our group to the north west. They had a great time and Kellie the hammer and I spent some time visiting with them Saturday eve. Most of the guys headed back to the houses by 10pm with memories that will last a life time. I talked to Jake this morning and him Gabe, Jenny and Lakken all want to come back again this weekend. Yesterday as all the wheel houses were slowly packing up portables starting showing up. I counted 10 last night all set up to the north east of where I moved the houses to. Most were set up from 20 yards to 75 yards from old minnesota. Quite a few of them were milling around all day fishing all the holes that had been augered saturday evening as Jakes crew spread out to find the mother load. I did talk to a gentlemen from low .Him and his buddy pulled out at 2pm with two limits. The hammers friend Nancy and her husband Pete stopped to wet a line last night in Montana. They were treated to 10 . Wayne and Marty helped me move all 4 houses yesterday. They fished Minnesota last night with the goal of getting two for Marty to take home and a plan to release the rest. Kellie and I fished with them and played some cards after Pete and Nancy left. We missed a couple on the rattle wheels and The hammer landed a nice one with help from her vex. I lost count of how many were landed but it was a few.. Kellie made us spaghetti dinner that turned out perfect. There is something special about sharing a meal with friends the never gets old. Hillmens road is in great shape and the fishing should just get better as the sun changes the environment under the ice. My plan as of now is to wet a line every night the rest of the week leading up to the 16th of march when the houses will be towed to shore. Red lake was grand to me this week and as the old timer Dave told me she is a grand lake and owes me nothing
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15.5 @ 13
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:happy1:
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thanks boar like the smile of Casey
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Good stuff!
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Who,s this?? Lol! Nice cookie!
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Oops, hehe. Now whos this?
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Oops, hehe. Now whos this?
Obviously photoshopped.
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lol now that was funny. Even the guy/guide gets lucky once in a while
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The last hurrah for the year has arrived. Its been close to 100 days I have had the houses on the lake. Looking for the mother load of crappies has been a blast. Its been a long week since I set the houses up with Marty and Wayne's help last Sunday. The farmer I work for Gary went out of town and I have been doing the morning and afternoon chores in between my time spent on the lake. Wednesday I was escorting Charlie out on the lake with the red baron when I hit a soft spot on the white ice. I was not going that fast but hit it just right to cause the v-plow to go up in the air and with a whiplash effect I broke the v-plow basically right off the red baron. I snapped it clean as a whistle and it came crashing down onto the ice. Bummer not a good deal at all. After studying the situation I determined as long as I had it down I could still drive her so off we went to get Charlie set up for the evening bite. I had punched 8 holes earlier in the day and pre fished them. I caught a couple small walleyes which I liked to see and lost a couple of fish. I also marked fish in all the holes. I expected we were going to do very well after dark. Limping the red baron off the lake to go do evening chores I had to improvise away to raise the plow and hold it in place to go up Hillmens driveway and down the road. With two chains and my block and tackle I was able to run the chain from the tip of the plow over the hood and windshield, over the roof and all the way back to the tow bar where I was able to hoist her up just enough to get it off the ground. Just like that and my plowing for the season has came to a end.
Monday night I set Jason up in Montana where he landed a few elusive upper red lake crappies. He kept 6 for a meal for his family and released at least that many more. The bite was excellent but did not start tell well after dark? Wednesday eve when I got back out there Charlie had a big fat zero where I had set him up. I fished outside with him for a bit and never marked a fish in all 8 holes I had drilled earlier in the day really weird. Charlie packed it up and headed home while I went over to check on Jake, Jenny, Gabrial and Lakken. Yes Jake could not stand it and came back Wednesday afternoon. Kellie the hammer and I had dinner on the ice in old Minnesota the last couple of nights . We have landed a few elusive upper red lake crappies but have not had that magical mother load. Kellie did loose what she figured may have been her biggest crappie while I was outside. She had it by the lips for a second and it squirmed out of her hand and gave her a tail splash as it headed back down the hole. Even I yes I have landed a couple elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies. Lonnie and Craig moved after I talked to them Tuesday and went from zero to 12 in one night with many more lost. I met Randy Ermin out on the lake and they packed it in with only one Wednesday night. I set up Al ,Rick and Dan in there portables Wednesday and they were happy Thursday morning with a few fish. Diehards for sure as they fished all night. Sounds like Al and I will be doing a little summer fishing as he lives in Hibbing and has that true passion for fishing. Jake has been bouncing around all over the lake like a pinball looking for the mother load. He has landed a few fish and sounded like last night at 10pm he may of had a magical moment. When I talked to him all he said was I live for this and Jenny was enjoying watching him catch fish. .I will know more today after chores. Todd rolled in yesterday with a custom fish house and I'm looking forward to stopping in when I get back and checking it out as its a monster of a fish house. He took good direction and I truly expect that they had good fishing. Labs and Hunter were spending the night in Montana and I sure hope they landed a couple at least. The daughter is coming up with all the grand kids this weekend and we will be closing out the season with family and great friends on as Dave said "A Grand Lake and I could not agree more
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Well all I can really say is amazing just amazing. Labs and his son Hunter managed to catch a few elusive upper red lake crappies. Old Minnesota also produced a couple more elusive upper red lake crappies for The Hammer and I. Jake has some outstanding fishing and landed 17 out of florida. After Jake landed 17 in Florida he wanted me to move the house. It took me about a minute if that to decide to move all three deluxe houses one more time so even the grand kids and daughter would have a fresh spot to fish. The last couple days have been a blur so I may not have all this is the right order. We got jake reset up in his new spot and with out a plow each house had to be hand banked for the end of the season just like the beginning of the season. While Jake was at shore getting propane Nicole and Joel showed up and I pointed them in the right direction with help from Jake over the phone. Jake came back and got settled in and I headed home as I had afternoon chores for Gary the farmer I work for. I ecpected the kids to arrive around 10 pm Friday night but they got a late start and would not be arriving tell after midnight so Montana and old Minnesota would be unfished Friday night. Joel and Nicole landed on the mother load and were tickled pink as they land many many fish Friday night. Todd arrived with his custom house and what a house it was they landed 11 the first night. Duke also arrived Thursday and had some good action. Shawn arrived friday for north Carolina and had slow fishing .Jake was doing a lot of bouncing around out in the area we were fishing .Looking for the mother load I guess? He had great fishing in my book Friday night but ask if I could move florida one more time as they wanted to hang with Joel and Nicole , fish and have a couple beers together saturday night. Jake made a outstanding move and sent the girls out hole hopping around the houses where they proccedded to put the hammer down and catch a few fish outside while the guys watched the kids. They bonded and now have become good fishing buddies as both there husbands live there life's around fishing. How cool is that. Its very cool. Wayne came up Saturday afternoon to help me weld the v-plow back on the red baron. I got the daughter Missy, Eric, Matty my grand son and Jacob another of my grandsons set up in old Minnesota. Kellie the hammer and I would be joining them later in the day. What a beautiful day it was Saturday ,Unbeleavble would be the best way to describe it.. To be continued
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Good morning the story continues. Jacob my grandson caught his first upper red lake crappie as well as my daughter missy. Old Minnesota was on a new spot but never turned on like I had hoped. Jakes move over by Joel paid off big time and they all caught the elusive yet catchable upper red lake crappies into the evening until they went to bed. Jake had his magical moment at 5 30 am when he started catching them as fast as he could get his minnow down. I think he said he caught 17 in a row, since he was releasing them all it well could of been the same fish over and over? Sunday afternoon I moved old Minnesota one more time so Marty,Kellie and I could spend the night out there for the final night. We had a great toco dinner, caught just a couple elusive upper red lake crappies and had a couple of drinks as we reminisced about such a great season on such a grand lake. We stayed up way to late waiting for the mother load and Marty headed over to florida around 3 am. Marty started catching fish as soon as he walked into the house and never went to bed. I set up my bobber line and my dangler with the line going through a can it would fall into the hole and wake me up. I woke up at 5 am 2 hours later and both cans were floating in the holes. I grabbed the cans re lized my bobber was gone and started reeling it in and had a fish on. I bounced the fish off the bottom of the ice and snagged the lure a small rattle flyer on the bottom of the ice. I set that rod down and reeled in the other line with no minnow. I put on a minnow dropped it down and a fish came charging up. Yes it was a elusive upper red lake crappie. As I was removing the hook there was another big red line down there. I re baited and sent it down and Bam here came another. 2 in a row and another red line on the vex at the bottom. Now I was excited and ran my minnow down and wham again another as that fish was clearing the hole another would fill in the void. I said honey wake up and caught another, and another and another, I was not even counting as it was one after the other as fast as I could get the line down . Then I lost a fish with my blue phelps jig. The vex was still showing fish down there so I grabbed the hammers rod and reel with a blood line demon put on a minnow and ran it down and wham another fish. The next one was my big one and when I landed it I said honey wake up dangling my trophy in front of her. She set up, rubbed her eyes and turned on her vex and said where's my rod there's one down there. I handed her rod all baited up and she dropped it down, now I had no rod and reel set up. I started to try and un hook my flyer with my back to her when she said Crappie. I grabbed the fish threw it in the cooler as we wanted to take a couple home for dinner Tuesday night. I re baited her line and thought oh the rattle wheel it has waxies on it . I rolled it up, peeled off the waxies and put on a minnow as I ran the line down the hammer again said crappie. I dropped the line went to land her fish and the rattle wheel just kept ringing as a crappie hit it on the way down. I landed that crappie threw it in the cooler. By then the hammer had re baited and had another fish on. I grabbed her fish re baited the rattle wheel and ran it down while my sweetheart caught another and another. I landed another one on the rattle wheel as she kept catching fish . Then just like that they were gone. She caught atleast 7 in a row and I have no idea how many I caught. All I can say is Wow what a treat, Truly amazing ,all that hard work looking for the mother load for the houses and it happens the last morning old Minnesota and Florida would be on the lake.. It was bitter sweet as we packed up as I had to go do chores at the farm. Marty stayed out on the lake and cleaned up florida for the move home then went and fished in old Minnesota where he landed 5 more elusive upper red lake crappie's during the day while I was gone. We ended up keeping 11 fish for a fish fry last night for Ole, Marty, the hammer and I. I cooked up 6 fish 12 fillets ,kept my trophy and Marty is taking two home and I have 3 fish in the freezer for another dinner for Kellie and I
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well I hope everyone is enjoying some of the pictures of such a magical season on as Dave said" A GRAND LAKE! A GRAND LAKE! THAT OWES HIM NOTHING! NOTHING" It was full of emotion as he set there in in old Minnesota that evening jigging not being able to see as he had lost his vision from a stroke. He had a small resort on the other side of the river and use to have Viking players up from the Bud Grant days as he was a security guard for the team and tried to keep them out of trouble as he traveled with the team.
Ole, Marty and I spent Wednesday and part of Thursday fishing lake of the woods for pike out of warrod. We did see a 42 caught but we did not do well at all. We could of fished a lot harder but it was more about spending time together in the outdoors with good friends. Ole has a 20 pounder on his wall from low and a 25 pounder from red lake. He is now looking for a 30 pounder and knows that may never happen. He did have some bad news while we were fishing. Someone broke into his building in Alaska and stold his custom boat that he built that took him 3 summers. It had two Honda motors on it and was over 20 feet long. They also stold another Honda motor. They had some other stuff but it looked like they may of planned on coming back for it. They had to have a big truck and had to move a car, a wheeler and a 3 wheeler plus brake open two giant sliding doors. He hopes they find it as its a known boat in the area. He has such a great attitude. He is up set but is very thankful for his health and all the adventures he has lived and all the trophy's he has taken fishing and hunting. He loves the big woods of northen Minnesota and will be back next fall to spend some time chasing his favorite critter the white tail deer.
Now for the fishing report here on the shore of upper red lake. Buddy hillmen was not letting wheel house off his access this weekend. The access is open but no wheel houses. marty and I escorted Ole out to the fish eye where we punch 4 holes for ole to fish. He fished out of his truck and threw in the towel at 7 30 or so with no elusive upper red lake crappies. Lon and his two boys stayed here on shore in the comfort of our 1 bedroom cabin. I gave them direction to the honey hole and they managed five elusive upper red lake crappies Thursday evening. From talking to him yesterday it sounded like they needed to go west just a bit. They enjoyed a late dinner Thursday night in the cabin, showered up and rested before heading out yesterday around 4 pm. Lon followed direction very well and took my advice and went a little further west where they landed on the mother load at dusk. It reminded Lon of the hey days as you could not run two lines at a time. They ended up pulling the plug at 8 30 pm with there limit of 30 fish to take home. The cabin is wide open if any fishermen want to make a last trip up. We were making ice last night as its 7 degrees this morning. The shore line should be in excellent condition. You can travel almost anywhere on the north shoe as long as you stay away from the pressure ridges. The mother load is out there and I have no problem at all pointing fishermen in the right direction. It would be nice if you play more catch and release but its not the end of the world if you take a few fish home as there are more then enough to share in my eyes. Kellie the hammer and I talked last night about taking old Minnesota back out for one more night? I'm thinking about it but its such a nice feeling having the houses just out from our property waiting for some warmer weather to melt all the snow so I can get them to shore. Plus I need to check the weather as the last thing I need is to be 8 miles out and deal with a march snow storm. We have caught enough fish for one season and had that magical moment less then a week ago. Next year, same time, same location the fish will be a little bit bigger and a little bit more educated.
Marty and I spent a better part of yesterday repairing the runner on florida as the welds failed and I lost a runner when I made the final turn towards our property. My welds lasted 10 years. When we built Florida and Montana we tried to build them to last at least 20 years. I expect they will last 30 with a little adjustments on the runners as my welding skills were not that good when I made the frames 10 years ago. We also have the materials ordered for our new addition next season North Dakota. Jake will be up mid April to start building it. Life is good and I thank god every day for such a wonderful wife and friends
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I made the decision not to take old Minnesota out. I did escort Steve and his two buddies out to where we fished last week. Steve called last night to tell me they got a big fat zero as the elusive upper red lake crappies proved again how elusive they can be. I talked to Buddy Hillmen for a bit as he was fishing in one of his skid houses. There were a couple fishermen on the lake but not many. I also talked to Paul and Todd they live around Shotly area and were brothers of Mike that use too own dr. tackle. They caught a few the night before. I said I just need to know how many is a few? They whoed and they hawwed and said 12. The next truck, also with them said they got a few also. I again asked how many and they reluctantly said 13. So nothing has changed. A couple is more then two and a few is more then 3 and some is more then one and pretty good is limited out. I also picked up enough logs and wood to have a nice fire in our fire pit today as I clean up the yard. I wish I could find every piece of wood out there as I would hate to hit any thing with the boat this spring. I checked the area I worked hard earlier this winter and found one 2x4. Some ones bag of crap that must of been fishing by me. I'll be taking a cruise out there again today looking for more liter to pick up plus maybe I will get lucky and find my spud bar I lost early in the season.
She is a bit nippy out there this morning at 18 degrees,11 degrees warmer then yesterday morning. I expect Gary the farmer I work for will ask me if I want to work this week when were at church. I know there's a small window to get rid of manure before every thing gets to soft. The ditches were really flowing last week but have now turned into a trickle compared to last week. Kellie and I played a few games of cribbage last night as it was the first Saturday since sometime in Dec. that I was not on the lake Saturday evening making the rounds. I wanted to play scrabble but she got her way again. I have not decided yet but I may go hunt for the mother load towards evening tonight as I expect I may have all 48 thousand acres all to my self? I ran into Borch and they had also not done very well. The first hole he augered Friday produced a elusive upper red lake crappie and then that was that. I never met him before but he had plenty of holes drilled and was outside fishing in the cold in a lumber jack flannel and no gloves. Wow it was cold out there, a true diehard of a fishermen. It was nice putting a face and body to his name. I also looked for the holes that Lon, Dylan and Derek did so well in Friday night. I had given them directions and then had them go a bit more west Friday as they only got 5 Thursday night. I never found there holes. Its like looking for a needle in a hay stack. yesterday morning they were talking some snow tonight so I will have to check the weather. Maybe the bite will be on with some kind of storm approaching?
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(http://[url][hr][
/url])Sounds like the cities got pounded with snow. Here on the shores of upper red lake it could not of been a more picture perfect. The sun was shining with just the slightest of a breeze out of the se. Its was nice meeting you Borch. Got a kick of your statement about the crowds? Not sure what you meant. The guys in the white vechicel struck out in the hot spot last week. I spent a couple hours on the lake policing the lake for liter as its much easier to get it now then when its floating in the water. I reminisced as I drove to each area I had worked over and ruined. I was pretty satisfied with what I found, just a 2×4 or two and a plastic water bottle and a wheel house’s trash that must of been fishing in the area. I checked the last place that Rodger fished and was not to happy to find a pair of jeans, 3 tee shirts, a pair of sweat pants and two sweat shirts. Did he leave his laundry? I will ask him next time I talk to or see him. There was also a few other pieces of liter. I also was a little nosey and checked where a couple locals fished this year. Wow what a difference. One you would of never known he was there? The other both spots were well marked lets say. I picked the areas up and will bite my tongue for now. Its was a enjoyable ride on the lake as I tooled around. The area I took Steave too Saturday was well punched with 20 holes at least. They either left the area or the guys did not stay late enough. Jakes magic moment ,mine and Kellies all happen at 5 am to 6 30 am. Ole’s happened in a wind storm/white out at 8 pm. I again did not find where Lon and his two boys landed on the mother load but that was from sunset to 8 30 pm. Fins and feathers spot produced the whole time they were here and that area was peppered with Steave’s holes. Leaving that area I found numeruse places to wet a line if there headed in the line I picked . I also found a couple real fishy looking areas and plan on augering a couple holes there today as I again tool around the lake. This is the time of year you should be able to catch them all day long. Coming off the lake it looked like the dump trucks driving on the lake to haul the sand from the channel may of caused a couple cracks to come from the mouth of the river right across Buddy Hillmens road? We will have to keep a eye on them as the ice starts to melt and shift with the winds and temps. I have had no calls since I took Steave out there Saturday so it looks like she is winding down. Buddy Hillmen got the rentals he had on the lake this weekend back to shore. Frank and Jana at North Country food and fuel added a new set of tanks for bait as he is gearing up for opener. I would assume with 4 tanks he will have a bigger variety this summer of live bait. Got a email from the Herbeck’s and they canceled there reservation for the cabins for the second weekend after opener as Steave said it was not worth coming up for two fish. Frank and his crew are all still coming up as they just want to be able to have a fish fry and hardly ever take fish home with them. Its sounds like my brother Warren from Chicago will be up for opener and maybe my cusin Stanly plus I mentioned it to Bob.
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After spending the morning policing the lake monday afternoon I was off to the farm to haul manure. I see a pattern here. yesterday again I headed out on the lake with blue thunder to check the crack that had crossed Buddy Hillmens road. All was good and it looks like it locked up and has had no movement. I then headed west and again had to stop for a couple pieces of trash. Please if your going to fish red lake in the winter take your time to check the area before you leave, its a little ridicules . I total under stand that some things get lost or accidently frozen in the lake. A christmas tree? With 3 6 foot 2x4s? Ohh well sorry about the rant.
I only had a little time on the lake and never made it more then 3 miles out before I had to come home and go to the dreaded tax man. Well at least that's done. Today I plan on checking the ice by augering a few holes to see how soft or hard the ice is. I be leave it also decays from the bottom up. I all ready know where I want to start and plan on not forgetting the vex this time. Buddy Hillmen's access has re frozen up nice with the colder weather. There was a pick up parked on the ice yesterday and must of went out with a wheeler. Who ever he was he had 48,000 acres all to him self. I wonder if he is fishing where I was going to go? Not sure if I want to get any minnows or just use waxie's. Jake says just use waxie's, I'm going to pick up a scoop of minnows as the fish are hungry. Waiting to here from Marty as we have to repair my dock before the ice goes off the river, not sure how were going to get the 24 feet of dock back down the bank but with a little ingenuty it can be done. Been staring at the boat and looking forward to prepping it for the up and coming fishing season. I have a little research to do on the prop set up. Its cloudy today with a slight breeze and snow fluuries should be a awesome day to wet a line. The biggest problem I'm having is the liter I can not just drive by it. Oh well maybe I will fish at each spot I stop to pick something up. that sound like a good plan. Sorry if it sound like I'm being a dink about the trash but thats the way the cookie crumbles. Have a grand day. I know I will on a grand lake looking for the elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie
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cookie. your NOT BEING A DINK about garbage on the lake. drives me nuts to. not only the lake but woods too. if everyone had your attitude on trash there would be no crap to pick up!!!!!!!!!!
keep up the good work!!!!!!!! :happy1: :happy1: :bow: :bow: :bow:
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:happy1: :happy1:
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As it quiets down around here my reports are sure to get shorter and shorter. My big plans for fishing yesterday changed a bit. I dilly dallied all morning enjoying watching the snow come straight down in giant flakes . Did a little spring cleaning and listened too a radio interview of David Shankle out of Chicago. My brother warren is the lead singer and they just cut a new cd. DSG is the name of the group . Its heavy metal?
Around 10 pm I noticed the snow had quit, rats it would of been very relaxing wetting a line out there . I stepped out of the house around noon to feel the rush of a 30 degree day with the winds howling 30 miles a hour out of the north a should of been out there 6 hours earlier. Foiled by mother nature. Oh well with the snow cover I was still determined to wet a line . I thought great I will not see any liter and can focus on fishing. Buddy Hillmens landing was still in great shape and its very cold here this morning with snow flurries. As I drove out on the lake with blue thunder darn if I did not find some more crap oh well no big deal better picked up now then later. I zigged and zagged all the way out to the two spots I had marked. With the north wind and a little blowing snow I thought it sure would be nice to have some out here with me for safety reason. Oh well on I went .Number one auger fired right up and that happens when you do not have bad gas in it. I punched two holes with ease and could tell the ice is a changing. I took a pic of the auger over half way down but I can take off the extension if a want. I dropped a bobber set up down one hole and a small rattling flyer on the other with 3 waxies. It was brutal out there to say the least .After jigging around 15 minutes with out a mark it was time to move. The next spot was the same. Nothing not even a mark. The second spot I got rid of the waxies and went with a minnow. Very bad timing on my part and I headed home skunked. Oh well it was not a good day weather wise to be out there. I'm hoping Marty and I will wet a line tonight as this will most likely be the last trip on the ice with blue thunder for the season. working on the dock this morning ,Hauling manure this afternoon and fishing with my good friend Marty. I'm sure he will also enjoy getting out on the ice one more time
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At 5 degrees this morning are we making ice. Sure gotta think so. I know its froze up Buddy Hillmen's landing real solid. I Talked to Buddy and the access is open this weekend day to day. I do not see any problems getting out there one last weekend. Marty and I hit the lake around 6:45 pm. Of course I found some more garbage so we had to make a few stops on our way. There was one place I knew I needed to tend to so I made sure we stopped there and cleaned up there mess. When we got closer to our fishing area there was a lone truck out there. I thought! Rats now I would have to share 48,000 acres. I stopped to see how they were doing ,but no elusive upper red lake crappies. They were right in a spot that produced well over 30 elusive upper red lake crappies the last weekend of walleye season. I had a hunch and wanted to try a completely new spot. It was real close to where I had north Carolina when Jakes crew were up. We punched 4 holes and got our lines down just as the sun hit the horizon. I then punched 3 more holes walking south west. After the third hole I had enough as auger # 1 seems a little dull all ready. With the extension on, standing on flat ice, its a little trickier to handle for me. When I came back to my rattling flyer tipped with a minnow it was fish on, but wrong kind. I re baited got my line down and my bobber just kept going down. I set the hook on some thing real small. It was a scuffit of a walleye 6 to 8 inches, Perfect spot I thought! That pumped me up. Just after dark I stepped around the truck and Marty says fish on. My bobber! I said take him and he landed our first and only elusive upper red lake crappie of the evening. He got off at the hole and I swooped down to scoop him up and soaked my cotton glove. Of course it was comical as I lost him and had to swoop at him again. I scooped him out of the hole and he darn near went down the next hole over. It was not long after and my hand was cold as the temp was in the twentys and my sleeve of my jacket was wet. Oh well it was a blast as we stared at the stars enjoying our time on such a magnifcant lake. Heading in we stopped to talk to Ethen ,Mack and Rich. The spot they were set up had not produced one elusive upper red lake crappie. I told them to try and stick it out as late as possible and headed for home sweet home. I think that may of been my last trip out with blue thunder. If your out there this weekend please spend a minute or two picking up any trash you may notice . Even the little round blocks of wood some one used to block up houses.
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Jake just stopped by on his way to the rainy river going after sturgeon his favorite
fishing trip of the year? I thought his trips up here were his favorite. Oh well! Marty and I repaired our dock on the tamarac river Thursday and part of Friday. Lon arrived around 2 to try and find the mother load one last time. I was in a hurry and was not able to remember the boys name Sorry guys. I talked to Lon later just after dark and they were looking forward to catching a elusive upper red lake crappie or two. When I talked to Lon Saturday they had managed to land 18 for there one night trip. Well done. I have no clue where they were fishing as I never found there holes from last week. I know they were in the area but not the spot on the spot. I was out of town and have no idea what the ice is like at this time. I have some nice projects to work on here at the house and cabins so I will keep busy with that for now. I expect there will also be some farming in the next few days.
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Cookie I want to thank you. These reports of yours have been priceless. Both entertaining and insightful and entertaining! Did I mention entertaining.
:bow:
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Thanks man. I enjoy sharing my life's experience on such a special place in my heart. And so thankful I can scratch out a living here.
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Cookie I want to thank you. These reports of yours have been priceless. Both entertaining and insightful and entertaining! Did I mention entertaining.
:bow:
same here!!!!!!!! almost like I was there!!!!!!!!!! :happy1: :happy1: :happy1:
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That's so cool to here. Its so much fun sharing my adventures . There will be plenty of summer fishing reports as we prepare for the up and coming fishing season. Jake will be up in less then two weeks to start building our new house North Dakota. The frame for the house is still buried on my lake shore in 4 feet of snow. I swear all the snow we got in November with the high winds piled up just on my shore line. The old sunset next door there's no snow? and there's very little at the swimming beach or hillmens. Oh well ! Mother nature will do her thing . Checked the ditches yesterday and there is next to no water flowing in the ditch by the town hall. I'm going to go check ditch 5 a little later today but with no running water not sure what the pike ,walleye and suckers will do . I spose they will spawn in the river and the lake shore. I would like to drive out on the lake one more time as there is a area that I totally overlooked for liter so I have to decide if I want to go out there in blue thunder?
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well I guess its the first post of the up and coming ice season. I would say there were over a hundred portables on the lake Saturday. I was surprised that a few were just small blips in the horizon man were they out there a ways. Luke and his crew were in the cabin and did ok during the day with the better fishing picking up toward evening where they really turned on. They had a nice fish fry and headed out early sunday morning before sunrise. The guys coming for the cabin next weekend canceled do to the extended forcast. The wind Friday night with the warm temps melted all the snow cover on the ice. Not sure when the houses will be going on the lake this year as every year is different.
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hey cookie, good to hear from ya, thanks for the report!! seeya soon!!
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aint you supposed to be working!!!!!!!!!!!!
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ahem.. and just WTF are you doing sir nuthindone ;D
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heck I gotz lotz done. posted about 10 grand in dues. made up meeting schedules for the year..........and harasses you!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Dayton and Dave rolled in Friday afternoon after checking into the cabin they headed out for the evening bite. They had no problem finding some fish which is what I expected. They hit the same spot Saturday and had a good bite at 9am. They came off the lake Saturday eve with there limit and had a nice fish fry at the cabin. They heard through the grape vine of a lake with ice that had a crappie bite and were going to hit that on there way home sunday.
My good friend Wayne came up Friday and spent the weekend. We got a couple things done around here and also got the plow back on blue thunder. The weather was perfect over the weekend for all the portables out there highs in the 30s and no wind. today we have some stronger winds. Dennis and his gal Shelly rolled in yesterday afternoon and headed out to find good fishing also. Dennis brought up his wilcraft which is a portable fish house on wheels with a motor and was designed for early and late ice. It has been years since I saw Dennis as he use to come up during the crappie boom. Dennis is staying a couple days then tom and his crew are arriving Thursday.
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I see they have a rescue operation going on right now out of rogers resort,the lake is breaking up and folks are floating,crazy sheet,BIG water/thin ice and big wind is a recioe for deasater.
RED LAKE, Minn. (Valley News Live) - The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) confirms with Valley News Live they are involved in a rescue on Red Lake.
Lt. Phil Seefeldt with the DNR says his department, along with fire crews, are rescuing several people stuck on a sheet of ice that broke away from the shore on the south side of the lake.
An airboat was being sent to the lake to assist in the rescue. No word on how many people were being rescued.
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well we had a little excitement yesterday down on the south shore. Rodgers on red has the whole story just the way it happened. I talked to BJ HIllmen last night and they are in good shape with buddy's road marked out to a large crack 3 to 4 miles out. I have not been out there but would assume that crack is marked off where it crosses the road and common sense would say stay on this side of it, Also check in with hillmens when you get your road pass for current conditions as they can change hour to hour minute to minute. I will check with Buddy later to day but last I heard wheelers were open for travel.
We could get some unwanted snow. They are saying? From the predicted temps I expect it to be a wet snow. Lets all hope it just clips or misses us as snow cover will have such a effect on making ice once that cold temps hit Thursday night.
Dennis and Shell came off the lake a bit after dark driving his wilcraft. They found good fishing pretty close to shore and did not travel that far out.
Gassed up blue thunder yesterday and could here a low growl or squeak coming from the left front so will have to keep a eye on that. I drove down to the lake and inspecting all the mounting points on plow I noticed a pin was missing its cotter pin. I drove up to the garage, got a cotter pin, went to put it in and the pin had fallen out when I drove back up to the house. I walked down to the lake and with some good luck found it laying on the ground instead of buried in the snow.
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Talk to Buddy Hillmen and his access is open to wheeler's. He is asking that you do not venture out over a mile and half. There is a large crack with open water 4 miles out crossing his staked road. Tom and his crew canceled for the cabin this weekend with the forecast of snow starting tonight. Dennis and Shelly headed home after going out this morning and getting the 6 fish limit
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well we ended up with 3 1/2 inches of snow . Better then the predicted 7 or 8 but more then we wanted. The temps have dropped and we are now truly making a little bit more ice. I would think we will gain a inch or two by Sunday witch will bring us up to around 8 to 9. Mike and his crew caught fish yesterday. I think they are going to stay another night? Darrin and his crew went home with there 9. I fired up blue thunder yesterday to plow and the noise coming from the left front does not sound to good. I be leave its the u joint and needs to be addressed asap. I plowed down at the lake to give the ground a chance to freeze better and clear out a area for Adam and his crew to camp with there wheel houses this weekend.
I talked to Jake and he will be up Friday to button up our new house North Dakota. We may try and move it down to the lake sunday. I'm a little concerned about that u joint though . The plan is to get the houses out of the woods sometime next week and that can really put torque on the 4 wheel drive. One of the fishing sites has a satellite pic of the lake on dec. 13th and you can see the big crack that runs through the center of the lake..
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thanks cookie, no doubt we'll be up asap to hang out, have a good time and take in all that red lake has to ofe on that grand lake. thanks so much for your reports. :happy1:
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good morning to all. Talked to Budddy Hillmen yesterday around 10 am. He did not agree with me as I figured we would gain 2 inches of ice by sunday evening. He said with the snow cover and ice he highly doubted we will make that much ice. He then headed out to start dragging his super highway a mile out with his Dakota pickup. His mechanic Kelly ask if I wanted to open the next mile of road with blue thunder. I told them I did not have the kahunas to do it. Mother nature reared her ugly side yesterday and I was thank full the houses are still tucked in the woods as it was white out conditions. If the houses were on the lake they would of had some major drifts around them.
The guys in the cabin headed out around 1pm yesterday and that had to be a wicked walk out of westwinds straight into those west winds howling to beat the band. I can just imagine how tough it had to be to put up a portable. I spent a hour plowing down at the lake to keep it open when the time comes to get the houses out of the woods. I have a couple wheel houses camping down there this weekend also. I will head down there in a bit and plow again as the snow was piling up pretty good down there yesterday. I did pick up a new front u joint for blue thunder and that will be addressed this weekend.
Thanks Boar we will see you later this winter
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Ryan and Dan rolled in around 3 yesterday, They got on the lake and only fished a couple hours and beers and managed 10 with another 10 swing and a miss. Adam and his crew found another spot to camp with the ice house and were a no show. Jake and I need to head to Bemidji to pick up a few more pieces of trim to button up north Dakota. Wow is it nice. It will be a non smoking house apon Jakes request. It will also be our biggest house . I have two guys staying in there ice castle on my river lot and will see how they do tonight. I got the left front u joint fixed on blue thunder so that's a relief, it was nice to fix it before it broke and created more damage. Wow is there a lot of fishermen on the lake, I hope they save some fish for our houses once they get on the lake. Being with the limited lodging here in waskish I would assume there's a lot of fishermen here just for the day as the lake is peppered with portables. Were hoping by new years to have the houses on the ice but only mother nature will allow us to get out there. I'm looking for at least 14 inches every where before I take them out of the woods. My plans are again to go out of hillmen's and help with the road . I do not run a road off my property even though I have access to the lake
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Just sitting here adding my reports enjoying in depth outdoor and fox Love the show and watch it every sunday morning.The cold snapped made a little ice and I have heard a lot of 8 inches here in Waskish on the north east corner of the lake. The further out the less ice. Dan And Mark went out of westwind and had real good fishing. Mark liked the river lot and commented that it was nice and quiet. Adam and his cousin found another spot to camp with there wheel houses and also did real well. Ryan and Dan in the cabin measured 8 inch of ice and had real good fishing after they moved from there first spot. Again the be witching hour was the best fishing for all of them.
Hey Kieth I was not able to get a Moog u joint with a zerk . I had to take what they had and could not wait for one to order.
All the worry about moving North Dakota was a waist of time as she moved like a dream. She jacks up nice and will block up nicely. Jake ran behind the house when I towed it down to the lake and was so excited. Hands shakes and high fives abound. Its a great addition to our fleet and fits right into our theme.
Brian and his crew roll in around noon for a couple of days and then it will be Christmas just like that
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Merry chkrstmas cookie! see ya new years!!
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Mitch, Brian and Ross did not do to well yesterday. There staying one more night in the cabin so they have today to redeem them self's. I also heard from a couple others that found slower fishing then expected. I swung into hillmens access and Buddy Hillmens road looks to be in great shape. Lets hope the snow for casted skirts us. It went from 3 to 10 predicted to 1 to 3 so will see what happens in the next couple days. The less snow the better. Were making some ice at 19 degrees but not much. It looks like starting new years we will be getting lows in the single digits through out Jan. I spent part of yesterday getting the dodge prospector out of the woods. Putting two wheels back on it was a bit of a chore as them wheels are not lite. A little gas in the carb and she fired right up, the gas line just beyond the filter was spewing gas, Re leaved it did not start a fire a 20 minute fix and she was ready to go. All three trucks are gassed up and ready to go. The generators all have fresh oil the houses have been wiped down one final time. Its just a waiting game for mother nature to make us a little more ice. I have had the houses on 12 inches of ice but would prefer at least 14.. All my reservation between Christmas and the 30th have been canceled or rescheduled. I'm hoping to have Minnesota, south Carolina and Florida on the ice dec. 31rst. Every year is different and by the looks of it I will be searching for fish a little closer to shore to start the season. In the past about the time I get the houses out the shallow bite has slowed and the houses do not get fished very long before there on the move to deeper water. This year they may get fished a bit more and it will be interesting to see how they do. I expect pretty good fishing with a great night bite so time will tell.
I was surprised how many portables were out there again today for a Monday. It seems we see more and more early season portables every year. The guys in the cabin said Westwinds was packed last night.
I like to wish all a Merry Christmas
cookie
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Merry Christmas Cookie!!
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Good morning to all. Just enjoying the morning watching in depth outdoors. There fishing oak island and I was digging the air boat they used to get on safe ice.
Here on the northeast end of the lake saw a lot of traffic yesterday. I figure there were about 300 portable and wheel houses within view. Fired up the heat in montana yesterday and the ceiling fan stopped working so that will need to be addressed today. We made it to 6 below this morning so I imagine we have gained a inch in the last 24 hours.
Jake and his buddy had slow fishing yesterday. They moved 4 times through out the day. They did manage to get there limit but they had to work for them. The guys in the cabin were going to walk off our property but must of came up with a plan b as there trucks were gone all day and they were not down at the lake. At this time it looks promising to take the houses out of the woods and on to the lake Wednesday. I will be starting the season close to shore and expect good fishing so time will tell
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The excitement is building as were just a couple days a way from getting the houses out of the woods and on to the lake. I spent a little time yesterday plowing out on to the lake to prepare for the move. I have some more plowing to do today as blue thunder is starting to get a good workout. Marty will be up later today and be helping me prep the houses for the move.
Jake and Rory finally found better fishing and said they really turned on at 3 pm yesterday. Blong, chang, natila a shang did not have very good fishing. They never did walk out in front of my place and were a little worn out from all the walking and dragging out there equipment onto the lake. It sounds like they will be back in a couple weeks when they can drive onto the lake. There were not quite as many fishermen on the lake yesterday but there were quite a few. I have Andy and his crew camping on the river lot starting today and Kyle and his crew coming for the cabin later today. Buddy Hillmens road is in great shape just like every other year. I be leave he is asking fishermen to stay with in 2 miles of shore at this time as a crack came across his road Christmas eve.
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Well we’ve been busy the last couple days. Marty rolled in late Monday night with his young neighbor Dylan in tow. I had a list of things we needed done before we pulled the houses onto the lake for the up and coming season. I did have a few fishermen here and with there portables in tow they all seemed to find a few fish. Andy and his crew camped with there ice castle on the river and enjoyed the peace and quiet. Kyle and his crew were in the cabin. I set two of them up to fish north Carolina but they never did make it out there. Yesterday was the big moving day as we broke all the houses loose and headed on to the lake. Do to the ice condition this year I had no choice but to start out in front of my place just off the last break in 8 to 9 feet of water. There should be no reason we will not catch fish there with most coming after dark. I augured a few test holes and found 13 inch of ice close to shore. I then started walking to the west auguring holes every 25 steps. Checking the ice with a tape measure I was a little disappointed to find 11 inches not 50 feet from 13 inches . The next 6 holes all showed 10 inches. We are just not having the super cold weather that makes ice. Every year is different and this year is no exception. Last year we were driving 6 miles out at this time with well over 20 inches of ice. Right now as it stands I will have to stick it out close to shore un tell the ice conditions improve .When the time is right I will head north and get all the houses on to buddy hillmens road. The lake has been a very busy place the last couple days as all the outfitters and resorts are trying to get houses out to fishable waters. Last I heard Hillmens would only be allowing 16 foot and under ice houses on to the lake towed by wheelers and side by sides. I have no idea what westwind is allowing at this time. Eva and Matt will be fishing our new house North Dakota starting today. They are here for two days and then the house is open Saturday. They will be the first to land a fish in our newest addition. I had Marty and Dylan in montana last night so will see how they did later this morning . Rick and his crew roll in for Minnesota Friday, Cory and his family also arrive for florida. Mitch cancelled montana and Travis and his wife will be using it Friday night. Pat will be bedding down in north carolina Saturday eve. Its nice to be on the lake . She’s a grand lake and as David the old timer up here told me its a grand lake and it owes us nothing.
Posted on December 31, 2015Author cookie Edit
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I'm Happy to report all the houses had some action with Wade and Matt landing a 36 inch pike this morning. Cory and his family Cole, Vada, Cash and Abby started getting bites around 3 yesterday afternoon in Florida. Cole shot his first deer with a bow this year and he is only 12. Way to go Cole. I'm not going to say how old I was when I got my first deer with a bow or how many years it took. Rick and his crew in Minnesota have missed quite a few and have a couple in the bucket. There going to take it easy today and play some board games. I'm bringing them out a old book shelf game of mine called rail baron they should have a lot of fun playing that. Travis and Cristy only landed 3 in montana but should of had there 6 they were only here for one night. Eva, Matt and Leigh had to go home a day early do to a family issue. I think they enjoyed the new house North Dakota and are scheduled to come back towards the end of the month. I'm relieved the houses all had action with most of the bites coming after 3pm. Tim and Jake are in the cabin and did really well in 10 feet of water yesterday. They were headed back in to the general area again today
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Tim and Jake hit the same spot they went to the day before. They still had decent fishing but only landed 19 for the day. Jake has some work at home to get done so they are taking off a day earlier then planned. My good friend Wayne and I played a little cards with them last night. Jake was the big winner and I told him next time I would be bringing the ringer my sweety ,Kellie the Hammer.
When I went to check on every one last night and top off the generators every one was bedded down or had the lights low so I did not find out how any of them did. Cory text this morning to give me a heads up the generator had quit for the second time this weekend. Turns out she is worn out and going through some oil. Last year the other 2500 generators charging system went out so it looks like Marty and I will be making two generators into one. She had a good life and both lasted 8 to 10 years respectively. I will be purchasing a used or new eu 2000 this week. Any one out there with a good used eu 2000 for sale give me a shout. Today after saying good bye to Cory and his family I will be moving Florida on to fresh ice for Brian and his crew tomorrow. Should be interesting out there today watching all the wheel leave the lake being towed by wheelers.
I will be checking some ice thickness the next few days as I prepare to get the houses to the north side of buddy hillmens road. At this time only sleds, wheelers and side by sides are allowed access to the road.
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Got a great pic of Cory and his family yesterday with there 13 walleye and one eel pout. They enjoyed them self and Cory said maybe he will come back in march and chase a few crappies with us. Pat and Mike spent the night in North Carolina after fishing outside all day. They did have some action and went home with there 6. Travis and Christy spent one night in montana and had a few in the bucket.. When I stopped last night to check on Rick, Matt and Mike in Minnesota they were doing up some fish and had 3 in the bucket so they were getting more action the third night. They were taking off early this morning so I will never know how they did over night. Rick comes back in a few weeks for a couple more nights. I prepped all the houses yesterday for there next move which looks like will be more of the cookie shuffle at this time with the ice conditions the way they are. I'm in a fishy area for now with a solid 14 inches of ice under each house. I put off moving Florida un tell this morning so will be heading out in a bit to get that done before Brian and his crew arrive. I thought it would be fun to try and keep track of how many holes I punch this year and after today I will be up to 53 after I prep florida. All the houses were blocked up before we augured them as with only 14 inches office they do flood. The water seeps out from underneath the house and slowly freezes making it a little nasty for walking and working around the house. It also absorbs into the banking and there will be some ice chipping going on this morning. I should be able to have florida moved in less then a hour depending on how much chipping there is. I'm hoping its not to much as we have 4 more houses to move this week.
As of now Hillmens road is still closed to vehicle's. wheelers, side by side and sleds towing wheel houses are allowed. If you saw vehicles running his road this weekend they were accessing the lake some where else then jumping onto buddies road
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Its been interesting to see how each resort and outfitter has been able to improvise a solution to the ice conditions this year to get customers and houses onto the lake. I would guess and this is a guess that were average 11 inches of ice. Marty and I will be scouting some new areas and measuring ice thickness at each hole we augur . I have a board with a lip on the bottom that catches the bottom of the ice and has a tape attached to it so its dead on. No guessing. I like to see at least 14 inch for my houses. I have had them on 12 but prefer 14.
Yesterday I did get too say good bye to Rick, Matt and Mike . They had planned to leave early but the rattle wheels kept them up half the night. That's a good thing to here.
Moving florida went real well and I had her moved, banked and augured in less then a hour. Brian and his crew Patty Josh and Jake rolled in around noon and I was able to escort them out to the house and get them set up. Then it was off to Bemidji to purchase a new addition to the operation. No more lugging them 2500 generators around. Thinking back, wow did they see some harsh condition out there over the last 10 years. Money well spent. I did have a little surprise last night when I went to the station to gas the new 2000 up. For some goofy reason the have a bigger cap and a smaller filler tube, Ridicules, I will get a better look at it today to see if it can be modified a bit . Marty was rolling in late and would be using when he arrived.
Checked On Brian and the crew ,they went to westwind for dinner and were playing some cribbage. They had a few on the ice ,Brian said they started biting around 4. They had also missed some fish so that's some more good news.
Dennis and his wife were out in the wilcraft and did not fair to well. They did go out quite a ways out and Dennis said the ice was about this thick and held up his hands. I had ask him if he would measure the ice where ever he augured, too funny. Marty and I will be shuffling all the houses today and making our plans for the up and coming weekend. Thanks to all that have came up so far this year. Its been a great start to the season in my book on such a grand lake.
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yesterday was a very productive day for Marty and I. We started off getting a few little things done around here before we hit the lake. Brian and his crew had 8 fish laying on the ice and looked like they were sleeping in. Sounds like another night of rattle wheels keeping them up. Are first move was to dig North dakota out of its perch, I had turned the heat off and was not quite sure how it would move as it is our newest and biggest edition. Every thing went well and she sitting on the ice wating to be moved to its next location. I then was able tocheck in with Brian and his crew and just as expected the rattle wheels were the culprits of every one sleeping in. The next move was montana and that went smooth also ,following that north carolina our two man day house/sleeper was pulled out of its perch and is also waiting for its new spot. Marty spent the night in montana so we will see how he did over night as well as Brian and his crew. Old minnesota will be moved today as well as florida. If the weather men are right it should be a beautiful couple days working on the lake with snow flurries and light winds before the big cold snap hits saturday
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Yesterday was a beautiful day to work on the lake. Brian and his crew were all ready gone when I left so I did not get to say goodbye. I know they did go home with there 12 so that was sweet. Marty had his 3 for the trip home on Friday. Sounds like the best bite has ben 1am tell 4 am. Good there in sleepers to be there for the action. Marty and I moved Florida for Don and his crew that were rolling in around 6 30 pm. We then got Old Minnesota out of its perch and moved to its new location. North Carolina was also put on a new location ready for Friday. Dennis and Shelly in the cabin, with the wilcraft went home skunked. I was way surprised. They never fished much after dark and never landed on them during the day. I still have not been able to hook up with Buddy Hillmen from Hillmens. Marty and I headed out his road to measure some ice thickness a mile out where I had good fishing last year. The first hole we augured north of the main road measured just a tad over 11 inches. Rats as I am looking for 14 for the houses. The second place we augured gave us 12 a little closer to shore. The third was just over 12. I guess that pretty much tells me where I'm not going at this time. Westwind has opened there road to some traffic but you will have to check there web site to see what there allowing at this time. Today Marty and I have to find a spot for North Dakota on at least 14 inches of ice for Andy and his crew. I'm sure he is pumped as he always is. He is a big time musky fishermen and will be interesting to see what his biggest was this last year. He has always liked the charm and lighting of Montana and will see if North Dakota lives up to his approval . I think he is going to like it.
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This crazy lake? Don, Nate and forgot the other guys name just headed home and they did not do well at all. I guess I landed on a fishless spot. Marty again had great action the night before so I saw no reason to think it could shut down that quick. Being a guide has its draw backs some times. I guess its fishing and thats the way it is. Tom and his crew in the cabin headed out 4 miles on there wheelers and too the north. The fishing was not fast and furious as they came in short spurts though out the day. They did manage to get there 9 plus 4 yes 4 elusive upper red lake crappies. Gotta love that north shore, being mobil also helps alot.
Stopped to check in on Kevin, Jake and Alex in old minnesota and they had just finished a freash walleye dinner. Kevin asked if I wanted to play a game of cribbage 4 handed. We played cut throat and 19. I had never heard of 19, if you get a zero hand you go back 19 pegs. Lets just say Alex and I did not do well and that zero did not help. While sitting there I did miss one fish on a chubby darter on Kevins line. I then had two follows while playing cards. Don and his crew were at westwind so I stopped to check in on Marty before calling it a night. I was only there a few minutes and landed a nice 16 on Marty's rattle wheelset up. Plain red hook with a small buckshot is all he has been fishing since he arrived tuesday morning. He does not use a vexlar.
Its just about time to hit the lake. Renting a house on wednesday thursday has its drawbacks as now Marty and I have to move florida . Its no big deal as we have a great system and takes us less then a hour, not including prepping the trail and area we move to.
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Well the weekend did not go as well as I would of liked. All the houses did catch some fish, but it was slow for sure.
Andy, Andy, Sam and Elvin were in North Dakota our newest house. They were impressed with the house so that was good. Andy has been coming for quite a few years and has had some outstanding fishing over the years and a couple not so good fishing trip. Andy ask if they could be off by them self if they brought there own generator so I headed west as far as the ice would allow. They only landed 4 fish the first night so after Andy did some scouting a little further west I moved them about a 1/4 mile Saturday. Sam augured the holes so that was 8 less I have to do this year. I'm closing in on a 100 for the season so far. The fishing did not get better and they only landed 2 more keepers.
Florida had Aaron, Dave and Jim. They seemed to enjoy the house and had some action . I think they landed 12 to 14 so not that good.
Montana had Ken, Carl, Sarha and Terry. They were from Iowa and have used a couple different outfits up here over the years. They liked how the house was equipped and plan on coming back next year. They also had some action but again not that great . I think they went home two short of there limit of 12. They did catch 4 pike through out the weekend. Nothing to big but one did manage to tangle up a few lines for some good laughs.
North Carolina was a no show with out even a phone call?
Derik, Dan the man and Scott checked into old Minnesota Saturday. Derik rented old Minnesota last year and was the first house to pound the crappies and landed 12. They also had some action and landed enough for a big fish fry yesterday. When I stopped in last night Scott landed a nice keeper and I hope they had good fishing last night.
I also set up Ken with his brother and buddy in his new wheel house. They landed there 9 the first night so they had the best fishing of my group.
Jake, Tom and Derik were in the cabin 3 nights .Due to the cold weather they found a house to rent Saturday from Scott Wakefield. They spent the night in a sleeper and managed to catch 25. So the fish were biting and again it boils down to location, location, location.
Now for some of the low lights of the weekend. For some reason I'm having issues with the generators this year. The brand new Honda 2000 quit a couple of times over the weekend for no apparent reason. I may of got a lemon and plan on making the 60 mile trip to Bemidji to demand a new one . My older 2000 also acted up and may be worn out and using to much oil. I have changed the oil on my units on a regular basis over the years and run them in a 3 sided box to keep them out of the elements the 2500 hundreds lasted 10 years. The old 2000 is 7 years old. The cold snap also played a little havoc on the fleet. The red baron needed to be jumped, the dodge prospector also needed to be jumped and blew the heater core while warming up.. Blue thunder fired right up but had a horrible bearing noise from the power steering pump so I will have to keep a eye on that. All the houses have some flooding issues and have 3 inches of water under them. I do not expect any problems digging them out but time will tell. The next couple of days will be spent scouting a new area to the north of Buddy Hillmens road. I crack did cross the road yesterday morning about 3 miles out and was over a foot wide. I would expect hillmens highway will be fully open for vehicles by next weekend
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Where to begin today? I’m feeling excited about getting the houses all pre staged for the big move in the next day or two. With these cold nights were making some ice. A little late but there’s still plenty of the season to go. So far just like every other year I have a hard time sleeping in as I plan for the up and coming day. With the temp at minus 17. Marty and I will be holding off a bit this morning before we hit the lake . All 5 houses will be lined up for the big move today. When I tow the houses I like to go nice and slow and take my time. I’m sure I could go faster but its just so much harder on the houses and vehicle’s.
Yesterday I was off to Bemidji to deal with my generator issues. What a fiasco that was. They do not want to give me a new unit and are blaming the wind and cold as the culprits of my problems last weekend. I tried to explain it has never been a issue before, with them sitting in the boxes, and have seen far worse conditions out there then last weekend. I also explained that I had changed the oil on the older unit Friday and had to add oil by sunday. They said there is no oil leaking but changed the oil because it was milky which is a sign of moisture? There was no snow to speak of in the boxes ? The new unit is under warrantee but only to repair and not replace and there is nothing wrong with it other then it set in the elements last weekend and may be shutting down due to cold air creating moisture in the air filter? Aaron the salemens told me once there oiled and gassed up there policy is no refunds. He did say he will replace it if needed but is a last option. I left both units there so they could run them through out the day and see if they quit.. My plan is to pick them up later today and run them straight for the next 72 hours to see if any problems occur.
I also picked up two new injectors for the red baron and was told this should clear up the red baron from bogging out so I’m very wishful that is the problem as it will not be long before the red baron starts getting her work out for the year. No luck finding a heater core for the prospector so have a little more research to do for that.
I’ll be leaving the area we started the season as it looks like I have ruined another area. Starting Thursday we have a nice little run of rentals into Tuesday
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Yesterday was a bit nippy as Marty and I dug all 5 houses out of there spots and got them on the road. We have a very nice system and things went real well considering all the flooding under the house's. I be leave old Minnesota is still our heaviest house as it had the worst flooding and had only been augured last Thursday. We will scouting out our new area today and again need at least 14 inches of ice. There is something that I can not figure out and has been on my mind. How can reports of 17 inches of ice in one place and under 10 in others? I personally have only measured 15 and that is where my house's were last week. Weird to say the least? Every year is different and again this year is different then last year and way different then the year before . I spent 2 hours yesterday after we got the houses moved helping clear buddy Hillmens road. Again what a pleasure helping out on such a outstanding road. It's probably been said before but you could land a 747 on it. 5 miles long and straight as a arrow. Very impressive. Marty and I will be auguring a few test holes today and I will report what we find tomorrow. Call the resort your going out of or check out there facebook pages or web sites for the latest ice conditions and what there allowing out
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Gotta love when a plan comes together. Yesterday Marty and I worked our buts off as all 5 houses are now to the north of hillmens highway. $ of the 5 are blocked and banked to the hilt for the up and coming cold snap. If every thing goes as plan it should be a easier day today as we knock out all the hard labor yesterday. 16 holes will be augured making the count around 125 for the season. We have a little cleaning and vacuuming to do this morning and I still get a kick when I'm vacuuming a fish house it never get old. We had a few things come loose on the move a mini blind came down , a light bulb fell from a ceiling fan, a couple pics from the walls and a couple trinkets fell.
The red baron was used to cut a new trail and performed like it did when I first got it . Best 1000.00 we could of spent and was way over due. If you need some type of repair up here Barney does some outstanding work and has a shop in kellier and also has a mobile unit for emergency repairs. You can find his card at North Country Food and Fuel here in waskish.
The area we set up has 14 1/2 inches of ice. The houses will again flood a bit but should not cause us any issues. Still not sure what Budddy Hillmen will be allowing for traffic at this time but should know by tomorrow morning. Jim and his crew will be arriving later today for north Dakota and montana turns out they use to come up here in the crappie days. Josh said I would remember Jim when I see him. Looks like another awesome day working on such a grand lake.
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I hate it when a plan falls apart. She can be a fickle lake. Jim, Jimbo and Mike arrived for montana around 2. I was working on the lake and told Jim to come on out about a mile and I would meet them on the main road? It must be the excitement of arriving as 5 minutes later they called to say they were at the orange cones. 3 miles out? I try and meet my customers at hillmens or the landing as for some reason is all they hear when you give them directions is come out on the lake. To funny. I remembered Jim as soon as I saw him just like Josh said I would. The rest of there crew Bob, Geno, Mike, Ken and Josh arrived a bit later and they gave them directions out to the houses. Sitting on 14 1/2 inches of ice the houses were flooding just like we expected after we drilled the holes. It wasn't long and Mike landed a 32 inch pike on Jims rod. Of course it tangled up half there lines but it was good excitement to start and it seemed we are in a fishy area. With a small walleye and a couple of perch also caught while Marty and I were buttoning up florida and old Minnesota things looked promising. I came off the lake just before dark and in preparing dinner I cut my self washing a couple dishes. Right in between my pinky finger and finger on the webbing. After cleaning it up a trip to baudett was in order as it did need a couple stiches. Marty and I rolled back on to the lake around 11pm to check on the guys and top off the generators. The guys in montana had 5 in the bucket and 200 feet away in North Dakota they had not caught a fish. They were all having fun none the less. I do not mind moving houses when needed but it is very tough to move a house when it has not been fished for at least 24 hours. Saturday with the predicted cold it may not be a option. I do not move houses when its 10 below or colder unless its a emergency. I made a call to Marlo and his other buddy in there wheel houses as I had pointed then to a area to fish. Each house only had one fish so that was not very good news. Lets hope we have some of that action from 1am to 4 am like we had 2 weeks ago. We will get the holes augured in old Minnesota and Florida this morning for Pat and his crew and Barry and his buddy respectively. The generators have been running for the last 24 hours and seem to be fine. Lets hope with the cold temps again we have no problems. I do have a couple of back ups in case but would rather not deal with the problem again but only time will tell.
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Wow does time fly when your having fun. I was a little disappointed when I checked in on all the guys in North Dakota and Montana Friday morning. Jim, Jimbo and Mike only had 4 or 5 fish in the bucket with no late night bite. Josh, Geno, Ken, Mike and Bob has some poor fishing and only landed one fish. Ouch. I told them we would be moving both houses Saturday to a new area if they did not do better through out the day.
Ryan, Richey, Chris and Pat arrived for Minnesota later in the day Friday. Pat , Richey and Ryan have been coming for years. They have stayed in florida, montana and old Minnesota over the years and always request old Minnesota when possible. Pat has recorded every fish they have ever caught on red lake including time and date. Pat told me last night that this was by far the slowest fishing they have ever had with me. Bummer. The lowest was 28 fish in a 3 night stay. As of last night they were only up to 12 ,They did manage to get 4 more in the bucket after I moved them yesterday. Richey also spanked me in a game of cribbage as he was on fire through out the weekend. They still have enjoyed there stay and Pat has made his reservation for just after Christmas next year.
Berry and Earley also checked in Friday for there stay in florida. They had Kellie and I out for dinner Saturday night and caught two while we were there giving them a total of 12 or so. Berry made a chicken and rice dish that was so good I had seconds. I told them next year maybe I could make them my smothered burritos as this was the second year they have had us for dinner. It sounds like they would like to rent north Dakota next year . Man will that be roomy with only two guys in there.
Jason and Bj checked into north Carolina Saturday .They caught a few fish the first day and yesterday they were up to 10 for the day when I talked to them. With a few of the guys help we moved montana and north Dakota saturday to give them another fresh spot for there last night. Jim told me they were happy with the fishing in montana where it was but I had no choice as both houses run on the same generator. I guess I may have to think about purchasing another generator to be able to separate the houses when need be. Again the 3 in montana out fished the guys in montana and got there 9 keepers with Jim winning the overall pot for biggest fish. Sunday was also a turn over for 3 of the 5 houses so I had to hustle to get 3 houses detailed out for the next groups. Being north Dakota and montana had only been fished one night they were staying put for now. Florida had good enough fishing to leave it where it was for Josh and his cousin that came with him at the last minute.
Over all the fishing was pretty poor. I guess if we caught them all there would not be any left. The cold weather -24 sunday morning did bite me in the butt a bit with my older generator. as it stopped running again. I quick trip home with two oil changes got it running again and yesterday I wrapped it in a Viking blanket to try and keep it a little warmer last night. No phone call yet so it must of helped. Two of my three augurs also became stubborn and acted up. I get so frustrated when they will not run when its cold .There ice augurs what good do they do if they only run when its 70 degrees. Today both need to be addressed to figure out what went wrong with them. A icon may be on the wish list but not sure what the cold does to the batteries? As I like my augur with me on the trucks in the elements and not sitting at home in the warm shop. I will be heading out shortly to gas up the generators and say good by to Pat and the guys. It sounded like Jake may be headed up today as he is dyeing to wet a line on one of his favorite lakes if not his favorite. He will do some scouting for me but if its any thing like the past he will end up finding good fishing miles away from where we are now. He also has a little more trim work on north Dakota to finish it up.
Buddy Hillmens road is again in great shape and now open 4 miles out. I spent a giant part of Saturday pushing snow to the southern berm and I imagine it will start to crack and flood this week as I did see some water seeping out from its banks. To all you off roaders blowing through that bank. It can be bad news and if you need to fish to the north of hillmens pay the 10 bucks and stop blasting through his berm. Not only does it make a mess but once it floods you have less the a 50% chance of making it on to his road. I did talk to a few different wheel houses this weekend and over all it was poor fishing for every one I talked to with just one or two fish per house. Goofy fish! don't they know I'm trying to scratch out a living here and need better fishing
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Well today there will be a little venting and a little whining?
I 'm basically doing the same things I have been doing for 13 years, I can be a little super stiches and maybe the 13 years is effecting the good fishing? We have been a little handcuffed with the goofy ice conditions this year. Yesterday I did measure 18 1/2 inches where old Minnesota is sitting so that was nice to see. Saturday when I was scouting for a new location Buddy Hillmen ask me not to plow any roads as he is still worried about cracks coming across his road from the weight of the snow berms. He said with the minimal snow I would be able to pull the houses right through it? I gave it a try and it worked fine. Years ago while towing our Alaska house I attempted the same thing only I drove into a little more snow, When I tried to power through it I broke a right front axel in blue thunder one, Since then I have always plowed a road before I pull me houses into areas. I will never forget that snapping sound as it was very distinct. After 13 years I learned something new from Buddy but I still would rather plow a road before I bring my houses into there spots. I guess that's why I have been called a rouge plower at times. Oh well.
I 'am also frustrated with the stitches I got last Friday in baudett. He should of flipped over my hand and gave it at least another stich as it is split open on the inside and I have had my two fingers taped together to let it heal. I told him I work with my hands so that's why I had it stitched instead of taping them together. Oh well! I can't stand needles and I do not have the time to go get another stich or two.
I have had Scott and Trent in montana for two nights. Scott is either Cory or Abbys dad. They have caught a couple fish but I sure am disappointed with the fishing there. Steve Chris and Brett have been in north Dakota for two nights and have also not done that well. They also fished a little bit in north Carolina and old Minnesota yesterday and snagged one out of north carolina. Last night they did have a 4 pounder in there bucket and a couple others plus Steve ate a couple fish. Josh and his cousin have been in florida for two nights. Again not fast and furious but they have scratched out a couple. Brian and Stacy checked into old Minnesota last night and while I was visiting. Stacy lost what we assume was her first ever walleye as they are from Kentuky.
Yesterday time was spent working on augurs as number 1 and number 2 gave me trouble the last two days. The blanket worked good on my old eu2000 but my brand new one stopped running again a few times in the last 24 hours errrr. Trying to keep everything running in this super cold weather is a grind. I got the Chrysler car running again. The bravado is eating antifreeze and may have a head gasket going out. The prospector needs another can of stop leak for the heater core and should cure the problem. The red baron needs the batteries charged if it sits for more then a couple days so I would guess it needs two new batteries? plus I have new injectors for it. But it has been to cold to even mess with them and I still do not need it on the lake for a few more days. It runs fine but has a high rpm miss that just bugs me after spending 500 dollars getting it tuned up last year. I have never changed injectors but it sounds like its pretty simple. Its sure is a challenge keeping everything running with this cold snap Fun Fun Fun as it does keep me hopping. I also put a new box fan in old Minnesota 17 dollars and it quits working 3 weeks into the season. What the f. Sorry about the venting. The great news is Jake is 2 hours from arriving and will be scouting for a couple new location for better fishing . Marty went home with a cold last friday and I hope he is ok as I have not heard from him. He has a few health issues that he has to deal with but Loves being here working on the lake. Just like me. That must be why we get along so well.
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Two days of grinding and last night I was beat. Having a cold has not helped. I hit the sack at 8pm as Brian and Stacy in old Minnesota said he would gas up the generator. At this time both have been running well with there blankets.
Jake arrived Tuesday and got his cold weather gear on and hit the lake looking for the mother load. Brian and Stacy tagged along. Jake found a spot that they were marking fish and saw a walleye and spot tail shiners on a camera. That was good enough for me and I started digging North Dakota and Montana out of there holes . While Jake headed off looking for another area to ruin, I plowed into the spot and hustled to get north Dakota set up for Leroy and his crew. After getting them set up I was off to retrieve montana as they would be together for the up and coming weekend. I then headed over to north Carolina and got her out of its perch. My arms were like rubber by then chopping out all the frozen blocks and shoveling all the snow. Around 4 pm I was headed out to see Lonnie in his wheel house when I realized I had pool? I turned around made a quick stop to check on Leroy and his crew and headed home. Jake would check on them later in the eve and top off the generator for the night. The last I heard Leroy and his crew had 4 in the bucket. Tuesday was one of those days where you just soaked in the beauty of red lake .With the sun shining brightly all day you could see for miles on a crisp minus 2 day with no wind.
Yesterday morning heading out to meet Jake and it had done a complete flip flop, Cloudy ,snow flurries and a little wind it was a struggle to see with every thing so white. After checking in with Lonnie and his poor fishing report I was off to meet Jake and do some scouting with him to find a new area for old Minnesota, florida and north carolina . Oh Lonnie's buddy 30 yards away did real well. Figure that one out. The first area we tried had fish and I measured 15 inches of ice. I did not expect that and thought for sure I would see 18? We again marked fish that refused to bite. The second area we tried was a little closer to the main road and again marked fish with no bites? Very frustrating to say the least. Jake headed off to North Dakota to finish off the trim work and add a few more touches to the house while I headed off to old Minnesota to talk to Brian and Stacy and come up with my plan for the rest of the day. Stacy caught a 24 inch pike while I was having a cup of coffee with them so in my eyes the area is still a fishy area. Jake would be heading home with his 3 fish while Brian would become my helper as we moved old Minnesota to give them a fresh spot to fish last night. I also got florida set up on fresh ice. Then it was off to check out buddies road as Jake said it looked like buddy was expending further out. The road now goes out 6.3 miles with cones set up some where around 4 or 5 miles as the road heals from a couple cracks. I then talked to Buddy as a wheel house coming from the south busted through the berm to the south. He hit some slush and barely made it through. Again I can not stress this enough. If you want to fish north of Hillmens road pay the 10 dollars to use his road. Once it cracks under that snow which it is doing. It happens every year and this year is no different The berm will sink and it will become a 3 foot slush hole and you will be getting tugged out from the way you came from.
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Yesterday was spent getting all the houses augured out for Bruce and his crew of 12 that were stopping by to fish from 1 to 5;30 pm. they would be fishing 4 of the 5 houses and this would give me a idea of how cooperative the fish would be? I hate to say it but it was not pretty. I always try and have the houses on fresh ice for the customers arriving on Fridays as they have made plans well in advance. If I'm in a fishy area it may only be a 50 yard move but its still clean and unfished. Its hard to say no when some one wants to fish Thursday and I thought what the heck it would tell me a lot. Bruce and his crew have done this before and it was not a issue. Every year is different .I was so upset about the out come of there fishing yesterday that I wanted to move the houses last night. I think its un safe and unwise to move houses and work out there at night especially with out a helper. Unless its a emergency . I have moved a house at night so it can be done but again I would rather be working in the day light. Montana and North Dakota will be moving this morning at the crack of dawn. Followed by old Minnesota and north Carolina with florida bringing up the rear. I not sure if I can get them all moved and 3 of the five augured and prepped but I'am about to give it the old collage try as both the areas I have the houses are not even worth ruining. There's a good chance a customer or two may have to wait if they show up before 2 . I guess that's why we have a 2pm check in to give me time to make moves. The other problem is this is going to be a bigger move so you loose a lot of time traveling and prepping the new areas. The good thing is I have a plan. I have done this before when I have had a turn over on a sunday so it can be done. The one good thing is all the houses were wiped down and prepped last night so that will save a little bit of time. I also like to tow the houses nice and slow . I have seen other outfitters flying down the road with houses in tow. I just can not do it. I would guess our houses are pressing 6000 lbs. If for some reason I have to come to a stop the house would smash into the truck as they do not stop on a dime. I have learned this the hard way and its not pretty. I smashed montana the second year we had it and had to use a handy man jack and 2x4s on the floor to push the wall and counter back into place. I also had the greek tow montana the first year when we were bringing the houses to shore. The greek hit the gas when he came up the landing, then hit the breaks and the house just kept on coming and smashed into the truck. The tire on the rear helped but not much.
I did have a couple wheel houses set up yesterday in new uncharted waters and they did well so that makes me feel better then going to a area with a lot of lookers and sniffers. It will be interesting to see how Randy and his buddy did last night. I hope they call me because I will be way to busy to stop in and talk to them. Same with Ken and his crew as they were also checking out a area for me to ruin. Looking at the weather forecast it looks like I will be working in all most ideal conditions. I will take a moment when the sunrises to soak it all in on such a grand lake that owes me nothing as that old timer Dave told me years ago. Should be a fun day wish me luck
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Man oh man that was a lot of work. I did not sleep good Thursday night thinking about what I was going to do. It all worked out in the long run though. Nothing broken and no stitches just a lot of hard work. I got out on the lake at the crack of dawn as planned. I was surprised to see 3 wheel houses just behind the houses. Not that I care but one could of plugged right in to my generator he was so close. Imagine there surprise when they came out of there shack and north Dakota and Montana were gone. Both houses were taken up the road to the new area I would be ruining. I mean fishing. I then cut a new trail hooked up north Dakota and off I went. Don and his crew would be bringing there own generator so that meant I could cover a little more ice and spread out a bit more then usual. Once north Dakota was completely prepped holes augured ,house banked,etc I was off to do the same with montana. again same procedure . By then I had worked up a good sweat at it always amazes me that working in the cold you can sweat so much. Old Minnesota was next on the list. I had a completely different area picked for Minnesota. Glen and Sue had a group of friends from Minnesota outdoorsman with wheel houses that would be fishing by them. The area I picked Marlo had done well last week and Lonnie had one of two good nights Monday and Tuesday. Glen and Sue had to wait a bit as they arrived while I was still towing old Minnesota. In between these moves I had checked in Don and his crew in north Dakota and Doug and his crew in montana. After getting every one settled in it was off to get the things I left behind ,blocks that needed to be chiseled out of the ice, boxes for generator, gas can etc. By then blue thunder was running on fumes and pushing 4 pm I headed to shore . Florida and north Carolina would have to wait un tell Saturday which worked out fine as they were not arriving un tell Saturday. Saturday morning upper red lake showed a little of her ugly side as the wind was howling out of the south, I got a call from Glen around 5am the new generator had stopped running EEERRR. I quick trip out there in my tennis shoe was not the best idea as I took the bravado. Luckily I was able to power though the drifts and deal with the generator issue. Not quite sure what happen but oil was good and she fired right back up. With snow drifting across the berm I would be plowing while I attempted moving florida and north Carolina to new fishing grounds. Plus old minnesota's spot was a strike out and I promised Glen I would also move them to better fishing once the other two houses were set up. My good friend Randy who was out fishing with his family was nice enough to come help me move old Minnesota and prep florida . and north caroilina. Thanks buddy. All that worked payed off and all the houses started catching a few fish Friday evening. Making the rounds Friday night I was able to swing in to Randy's shack and play a game of cribbage with him and Chuck. They had got the 6 in the area I had sent them and had moved to a new location looking for better fishing. My new friends Tim ,lance and kimmy also had good fishing when I stopped in to see them. We are all going to go to church this morning as I ask david if he would play his saw fro them. It sure was nice seeing all the houses catching a few fish again as last weekend was brutal to say the least. I have a nice break coming this week with only one house rented starting Monday to Dave and Sarah . Bob and his crew are here another day in florida and from the looks of it I will not have to offer them a new location. This has been a crazy 72 hours and I hope to watch a little of the Denver game today. Well its time to hit the lake .I want to top off the generators and catch the sunrise on such a grand lake.
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Cookie, don't really like posting in your thread but just want to say from both my wife and I a huge thanks for your hospitality and hard work!!!!!!!! we both appreciated it. your house was very comfortable!
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Hey hd I would love to see some participation on this thread.
Well we've been busy the last couple days. Marty rolled in late Monday night with his young neighbor Dylan in tow. I had a list of things we needed done before we pulled the houses onto the lake for the up and coming season. I did have a few fishermen here and with there portables in tow they all seemed to find a few fish. Andy and his crew camped with there ice castle on the river and enjoyed the peace and quiet. Kyle and his crew were in the cabin. I set two of them up to fish north Carolina but they never did make it out there. Yesterday was the big moving day as we broke all the houses loose and headed on to the lake. Do to the ice condition this year I had no choice but to start out in front of my place just off the last break in 8 to 9 feet of water. There should be no reason we will not catch fish there with most coming after dark. I augured a few test holes and found 13 inch of ice close to shore. I then started walking to the west auguring holes every 25 steps. Checking the ice with a tape measure I was a little disappointed to find 11 inches not 50 feet from 13 inches . The next 6 holes all showed 10 inches. We are just not having the super cold weather that makes ice. Every year is different and this year is no exception. Last year we were driving 6 miles out at this time with well over 20 inches of ice. Right now as it stands I will have to stick it out close to shore un tell the ice conditions improve .When the time is right I will head north and get all the houses on to buddy hillmens road. The lake has been a very busy place the last couple days as all the outfitters and resorts are trying to get houses out to fishable waters. Last I heard Hillmens would only be allowing 16 foot and under ice houses on to the lake towed by wheelers and side by sides. I have no idea what westwind is allowing at this time. Eva and Matt will be fishing our new house North Dakota starting today. They are here for two days and then the house is open Saturday. They will be the first to land a fish in our newest addition. I had Marty and Dylan in montana last night so will see how they did later this morning . Rick and his crew roll in for Minnesota Friday, Cory and his family also arrive for florida. Mitch cancelled montana and Travis and his wife will be using it Friday night. Pat will be bedding down in north carolina Saturday eve. Its nice to be on the lake . She's a grand lake and as David the old timer up here told me its a grand lake and it owes us nothing.
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Trying to beat mother nature at her own game. Knowing we had some high wind predicted for Wednesday marty and I busted butt Tuesday moving all the houses into position for the up and coming weekend. Time ,gas, and where and tare on blue thunder as I tried to make sure the plowed road into the area we are fishing was nice smooth ice with the berms all to the south. The generator box for north Dakota, florida and old Minnesota would be set up when Dave and Connie arrived Wednesday. Any object on the lake would be getting some drifting and I tried to plan for that with a nice wide trail/ice road.
I knew the wind was howling out of the south and I expected some snow to be drifting across Buddy Hillmens plowed road but most just sliding across the smooth ice heading north. With the plow down I clipped the edges of the snow drifts and let the wind take it away. Arriving at our turn and darn even with all the snow built up on the east side and nearly none on the west side the snow was still building up . Oh well so much for that plan. Every ware you disturbed the snow the rest of the day was going to catch more snow. We headed down the trail to augur out a couple holes in florida so marty could relax and fish while kellie and I were in Bemidji. We set up the generator box and extension cords and powered up all three house's. I plowed away the major drifts around the three houses pushing all the snow to the east of the houses. I checked on dave and sarah in montana and marked th etrail with tree branches to prepare for whiteout condition. Heading to shore around 12;30 to meet Coonie and Dave from Ill. and that crazy mother nature had done a complete flip flop and was now howling out of the north west? Didn't see that coming. Now all that snow that had been swept to the north was coming back in force across the road the other way. Plus now it started to snow and it was a wet heavey snow to boot. I again dropped the straight blade on blue thunder and clipped the edges of the drifts to let mother nature carry the snow to the south. The berm has now collected quite a bit of snow. Busting through that berm is no longer a option and any fishermen that tries will be getting towed from the same way the came from or doing a lot of digging so bring a number two shovel if you decide to save 10 dollars to access the north side. I greeted Dave and Connie at Hillmens where they got there pass for 4 days and bait. Heading back out to old minnesota and the wind and snow were starting to create white out conditions just like I expected. After checking them in and going over a few rules I stopped to check in on dave and sarah and told them I would be gone the rest of the day and marty would be fishing in florida if any thing came up while I was gone. I was a little concerned or should I say a lot as Marty would be heading back out in the worst of it after he gathered his gear and I don't think he has experienced what mother nature had in order. I did have him call me when he arrived and just as I again expected it was a eye opener for Marty.
Arriving back home around 8 pm I headed out to check on every one and see if marty caught a couple fish. first stop was at Montana where the fishing report was not what I expected. Slow with only a couple big perch and one walleye caught. Sarah said when the wind would lighten up they would get a couple nibbles through out the day. I was excited to see how Connie and Dave were doing in old Minnesota as I expected they would have a couple fresh walleyes on the ice. To my surprise they had only landed one little scuffit walleye and lost one on a rattle wheel that broke the line. They also had caught one nice perch and had a few nibbles through out the day. Oh well I guess if we catch them all there will not be any left. I then went over to check on Marty and see how he did. He had the best action and had two nice keepers and yes. One elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. He told me the bite was so very light that if the line moved across the hole you tried to set the hook as they were not even pulling the rattle wheel line down. Marty does not use any electronics as he is kinda old school like me. All though I do use a vexlar when the hammer is not fishing with me. Oh forgot to mention the new generator stopped running for no apparent reason again and I call will be made To acme in Bemidji and a little bithing will be in order as I again demand a new unit as that piece is a lemon as far as I'm concerned. They can not blame the cold as it was above 32 degrees. Buddy's road was in pretty good shape but the red baron will be hitting the lake this morning to give the newly re built v-plow a good work out and a taste of what she was built for. Brett and his crew roll inn around 10am today.
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Putting myself in a pickle. What to do what to do. My plans were to move montana today when Dave and Sarah leave. Brett and his crew have montana and north Carolina for the weekend. Marty and I put north caroliana in its new spot and planned to bring montana next to it so they would be running on the same generator. North Dakota, florida and old Minnesota are in a little group for Tony and his crew. I get a call from brett on Wednesday eve, letting me know they would be arriving Thursday ? Turns out I had talked to brett a couple weeks ago and they had decided to come a day early. No problem I said as montana would be open. Problem is I had the conversation on the lake and never recorded it on my calender. Then Dave calls out of the blue and they reserve montana Tuesday through Thursday. Now I have to shuffle things around and put brett and his crew in north Dakota when its all ready on its new spot for Tony and his crew today. Dave and Connie arrived wednesday for old Minnesota and are with Tonys crew and came up early. They have not done that well and need to be shuffled onto new ice sometime today. Now north Dakota has been fished one day instead of fresh for tony. I let marty fish florida Wednesday night and he did pretty good. kellie and I had dinner out there last night with marty in florida. Now although florida has not had all its holes augured it has been fished two nights? So now instead of having a easy day of just moving montana over by north Carolina. Do I move all 4 onto fresh ice before 2pm? I guess we will go by the over night fishing report and go from there. Yesterday the red baron got a good work out as I helped Buddy Hillmen clear a big chunk of road after the cones. Learned a little more about moving that much snow which was cool. The red baron performed admirably and I was way happy with its performance. Marty spent time cleaning up the road we made to our houses and pushing a little snow to the south on buddy hillmens highway. Buddy headed off towards his houses I went and met brett and checked him and his crew in .Then I headed off the lake as when we went to town wednseday I blew right through blackdack and forgot to get my stitches out. Now I find out this morning that Buddy made another two miles of road and I had no clue and never got to help. Oh well maybe next time. Kellie the hammer and I fished last night in florida for a bit. I landed one nice keeper rip jigging a rattling flyer with no vex. The hammer missed atleast 4 fish. She must be out of practice. She did finally land a nice keeper though. And lost another at the bottom of the hole. Its so funny she never ever says I got one. Everyone says I got one when they set the hook but not her she just sets the hook and quietly reels them in. I did talk to Brett and his crew they landed the first elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie out of north Dakota and as a reward get 50 bucks off there stay as promised for the first one caught out of that house. Time to hit the lake .we usually start at 9 but today we are starting at 8 so Marty can get in a little overtime. On a side note the warm weather combined with the wet snow, strong winds, Wednesday and into Wednesday night has put a nice glaze over all the snow on the lake. The next dusting of snow with wind is really going to blow some snow around.
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Cookie!
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Cookie!
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All I can really say is fawkinnae.
Stupid fish. Making the rounds last night was again a little disappointing. My first stop was to see how Tyler and his two buddies were doing .They showed up with there wheel house and I set them up where Randy and Chuck pounded on them last weekend. They were marking fish but only had one keeper after 5 hours of fishing. My second stop was Brett and his crew in Montana and north Carolina on new fresh spots. Montana had gotten two and north Carolina nothing yet. They were having a big fish fry though as they had fished portables most of the day and had there 15 walleyes and 4 yes 4 elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies. One which had came out of north Dakota Thursday night. I then got a call from Keith. They were trying a new spot and had also caught one elusive yet still catchable red lake crappie and one keeper walleye. My next stop was Tony and his crew. The 5 kids which I have not gotten there names yet had caught 4 fish with one being a smaller northern in North Dakota on its new spot. Tony and Jimmy the kids dads were fishing Florida. They had not caught a fish but they had been helping the kids and were just starting to really fish.. Connie and Dave were in old Minnesota after we had moved them onto fresh ice. Connie had landed a elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie and was quite excited. They had also landed a couple more walleyes and now had 5 in there bucket . Still not very good since they arrived Wednesday afternoon. I talked to Marlo and all though I do not know where he is fishing they had 6 in the bucket and there buddies in another wheel house also had some action. I did not get a chance to talk to Matt and his kids in there wheel house as they were trying a new area to the south west of me. Randy and Tammy’s wheel house looked very dark so I did not stop as I assumed they may of been sleeping. Boar and his buddies are also out there somewhere in there wheel houses and I will talk to them later today to see how they did over night. So over all my houses were not doing all that well. Marty and I will move Florida on the other side of north Dakota so Jimmy and Tony get a fresh spot for there second night. I will be moving Montana to a completely new area Sunday for Dan, Mel, Rob and Amy as it looks like I may of ruined another 10 acres of area. Who knows maybe I will get out there this morning and the rattle wheels have kept every one up all night as it has been known to happen in a sleeper
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a grand morning on a grand lake, right cookie?
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Well what the heck was I thinking? Just like I have posted this past week. Buddy Hillmens snow bank to the south of his road has sank and is a truck/fish house eating machine. Randy pulled a guy out that tried to make it across Friday. At the same time Buddy Hillmen was just up the road pulling a truck and fish house out of the berm. Another truck with fish house in tow drives by Buddy and goes 50 yards up the road and tries to cross the berm in another spot and he also buries his rig? I'm cruising down the ice road to get home and here's Marty sitting in the red baron and two guys are buried in the berm. There trying to dig out with a plastic shovel. I stop and they say what should we do your the expert?. The one guys feet are soaking wet as he is shoveling in 2 feet of slush and water. I explain we can tug the truck across but the fish house will have to be un hooked. After tugging the truck out onto Buddy Hillmens road. I explain there is no way I can pull that fish houses trough that slush puddle mess and they need to exit the lake from hillmens, go around and pull the house out from the way they came from. Here' s where I 'm not thinking. I say here take my tow strap? go around and hook the strap to the front of the house and spin it around . You can just drop my new strap off at hillmens store when your done. See ya strap as it was never returned wtf. was I thinking. I guess its just another lesson learned here on such a grand lake that owes me nothing.
Now for the long winded fishing report. I had Tyler, Reid and Riley checking out a area that was good last weekend, I had Matt and his kids in another wheel house in another spot, Keith was just to the north east of me in his wheel house, Boar rolled in late in his wheel house and set up somewhere. Marlo was in a completely different area. Saturday morning and the report from all was one fish two fish very slow.
Old Minnesota had a little better action after Marty and I did the cookie shuffle. Connie and Dave headed home with there 6 walleyes Sunday morning plus a couple elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies. North Dakota had Jimmy and Tony's kids. Brock, Luke, Lexi, Monica and Audrey. I checked on them a few times over the weekend and they were enjoying themselves. They ended up with about 12 keepers plus a couple they ate. I had to do the cookie shuffle for Tony and Jimmy Saturday morning as they had horrible fishing. Marty and I will no longer be fishing my houses prior to customers arrival. They did have better action and got there 6 walleyes. 2 the first day and 4 on the new spot plus another elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. Brett and his crew Rob, Jason, Dave and Andy fished portables through out the weekend and only landed 6 walleyes in the two houses Montana and north Carolina. They were both on fresh ice in what was a fishy area last week. Dave did land a Sucker of all things in Montana very weird. Saturday they fished portables and found 4 more elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies plus only 12 walleyes for the day and they moved around quite a bit.
Randy and Tammy moved Saturday morning out further and did a little bit better, Keith moved out further and had a bucket full of small ones when I stopped in to see them Saturday eve. Tyler, Reid and Riley also moved out further and had way better fishing with a few perch mixed in and one a real hog pushing 14 inches. Tyler has a facebook page and we did a quick video while I was there. I saw Marlo leaving the lake Sunday and they had pretty good fishing where they were at. I called Matt Sunday as he was gone with the kids, they also had better fishing but nothing spectacular. I did look over when I was driving by and his kids were having a ball ice skating where I plowed them a rink.
All my houses did not do that well. The rattle wheels were pretty silent over the two nights .Not sure why there not biting at night?
We will reload today and start scouting for a new area to ruin
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Dan Mel Amy and Rob rolled in Sunday afternoon just as I was finished moving and auguring out Montana. They are a great group and have been coming for years. Dan is my carpet man and we did some bartering as I would like to replace carpet in 3 of our 5 fish houses next spring. They are having some good yuks out there and missed a couple fish with in minutes of wetting there lines. Then Mel landed a elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. Again it was slow for the location were at. Its a fishy area but its time to find a new area too ruin. My good friend Wayne is also up. He is the person I acquired old Minnesota from and is still his house. He turned me on to ice fishing in style and spoiled me years ago fishing on chisgao down by forest lake. Before I fished in his house we always set on a bucket or fished out of a vehicle. He is also one of the three best fishermen I know. I have learned many sudel tricks from him. The greek is also one of the better fishermen I know. His secret is he never sets his pole down and is always jigging. His favorit jig is the white flu flu jig.
Kellie the hammer, me and Wayne fished old Minnesota Sunday eve. The third night old Minnesota was fished? 3 bites with one keeper walleye landed. Wayne decided he wanted to stay again last night so yesterday instead of starting my migration to better fishing I again did the cookie shuffle and only moved Old Minnesota to the back side of Montana only a 100 yards away. The hammer and I would again be joining him for dinner and cards with a little fishing to boot. It did not take the hammer long to land her first fish of the night and she was giddy when she landed a elusive but still catchable upper red lake crappie. Wayne followed up with a swing and a miss and I landed a nice walleye keeper on a rattle wheel tipped with a fathead. Wayne followed that with another keeper shortly there after. A couple more misses ,a couple jigs missing there minnows while we were playing cards and the action was again done. Dan, Mel, Amy and Rob got another elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie and are going to stay one more night. They also have just a few walleyes with quite a few misses. Since there staying a third night I will be moving them today to new fishing grounds. Gene and Sue are coming down from lotw to fish in Florida this morning. Marty will be coming up later today and picking up a new used tire for the red baron as it has a flat from dry rot. The dodge prospector has a issue with the front end that needs to be looked at before it breaks. The bravado looks like it may have a leaking water pump and not a blown head gasket. Blue thunder is still the work horse of the fleet and I just love my trucks. I may of also over revved the crysler car yesterday and damaged the motor. Oops
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so cookie.................what does a fishy area smell like????????????????
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Not sure what a fishy area smells like glen as I can not smell. A fishy area produces a number of different types of fish. If its a good area I can just move the houses short little distances and keep producing fish . Some times over two weeks in a 40 acre spot.
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:happy1: :happy1: :happy1:
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Oh my gosh! What's the old sayings. You should not be allowed to have this much fun? Laughter is the best medicine? Having good friends and or family is what's life all about. I have been fishing most of my whole life. I started fishing in Colorado for trout in the streams and lakes of the rocky mountains. The first time I came to Waskish I was 6 years old and my dad brought us up here to see my grandma Olga. My first cast in the tamarac river I caught a 5 lb northen pike. Grandma is the one that gave me the nick name cookie and my dad hated it. He said no son of mine will be called cookie. Dad died in a car accident leaving Waskish after a hard day at the farm in 1978. My parents were divorced so I only got to spend a couple weeks a year with my dad and I be leave if that would not of happened I would of ended up raising my family in Bemidji working at his car lot just north of Bemidji. Dad would take me fishing on red lake and we would troll spinners. I would get sea sick and puke over the side of the boat . Dad loved it as they always bit when I was chumming. My mom remarried when I was 15 and moved me to Minnesota where I met my sweet heart Kellie the hammer. I met her on my 16th birthday and it was love at first sight. We raised our family in the forest lake area and would come visit grandma mostly on holidays when we had 3 day weekends such as the 4th of July etc. The greek and I became best friends when we met as he heard my step dad took me hunting and he wanted to learn how to hunt. We hunted up in swift west of Baudett and always stopped here to have lunch or dinner with grandma on our way up and on our way back home from hunting. Grandma nicked named Billy the greek because he turned her on to greek seasoning salt. Fast forward to this last weekend good friends, good food and fun times were had by all. I'm headed out on the lake yesterday morning to fish with Wayne and maybe get in a game or two of cribbage o before I get to work for the day. As I'm driving out I get a text from Wayne of a pic of a 14 1/2 inch crappie laying in a 14 inch frying pan and the caption says Why do they call them pan fish when there bigger then the pan . I arrive to old Minnesota and say. I want to take that same picture and I put the crappie in the pan where I take the pic. I bend down and pick up the pan and his fish does the crappie flop and goes head first right down the hole. A perfect one and a half gainer with hardly a splash. Oh my gosh it was so funny . I don't know maybe you had to be there. It was so funny and what were the odds. I know my good buddy Jake possessed with upper red lake crappies would be proud on releasing such a trophy. Wayne headed home yesterday with his 3 walleyes and the crappie the hammer caught. I got to work on the lake about 10am . With Dan the carpet mans help we would be making a big move with Montana to put them in a new area that has not been fished. He was my helper as Marty has not made it back up yet. Some how in the process of moving I missed that I had not cinched the 2 hundred pound propane's on the back of the house and one of them fell off during the move breaking the line and falling off the house. We dealt with that and I got them all set up in the new area I'm about to ruin by 2. I then headed back to eat lunch and dig North Dakota and North Carolina out for the big move. Old Minnesota and Florida will be dug out today and also be moved. If the weather man is right the wind is going to be brutal out there today with gust out of the nw at 26 mph. Where's good help when you need it? Drive safe Marty and will see you when you arrive. Old Minnesota will be the next house moved as Rick arrives tomorrow at 10 am for two nights on such a grand lake. When I left the lake I stopped to check on Amy, Mel, Rob and Dan and they had 3 more walleyes in the bucket and were anticipating a good bite as the sun set on such a Grand lake. On a side note yesterdays sunrise was nothing short of spectacular
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Great story cookie, thanks for sharing! :happy1:
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So I’m tooling down the ice road yesterday and I see a black garbage bag on the west side of the north west berm. I always try and stop when I see liter and pick it up. Some times I may have to get it a little later if I’m on a mission. I stop walk over to grab it and its full of frozen fish guts. That’s the second bag of frozen guts I have picked up this year. WTF? The first one I picked up a few weeks ago I threw in the back of blue thunder, I stopped to throw it away and when I’m walking to the dumpster it rips open and splatters all over the ground. There not frozen and of course I do not have my glove as there in the other truck. I ‘m trying to scoop them up and getting poked to boot. Very frustrating. Who ever does this please stay home and go fish in your toilet. Last year picking up liter was ridicules. Being on the lake every day for 100 days I am quite aware of some of the liter bugs. Rodger a old customer of mine that now has a skid house left quite the mess last year and I’m still waiting to see him so I can chew him out. It looked like he left a whole basket of laundry out there. Sweat shirts, jeans, tee shirt ,towels etc. Another outfitter left every block he used for his rentals? One spot I know he never went back to as when he pulled out there was his customers grocery’s. Milk, butter, beef sticks, eggs, cheese . etc. that were forgotten under the house . Some times I can not rescue a block that has completely froze in. Later in the year in march I try and go back to every area I have ruined and double check for any thing left behind. When we had are little crappie get together last year I would say 30 wheel houses showed up in the area we were working. Only a handful came out of there houses and said hi. When they all rolled out Sunday and Monday I found 1 pop can driving around. They may of not been the friendliest fishermen but they were very respectful of the lake. Yesterday driving home off the lake I had a big bang and thought I blew out a tire. I stopped to check it out and a bungee cord had snapped. Wow was it loud, I would of swaryed it was a tire I was thankful it was not the tire . I then backed up and gathered the two pieces laying on the ice. I also stopped last week when I was helping Buddy with the extended road as I saw something black and did not want to plow it in. It was a piece of the red baron. I never did look at the red baron to find out what it was. Its was plastic and I imagine it was a some type of splash panel.
Now for a very short fishing report. Mel, Dan, Amy and Rob did a little better in the new area I’m in the process of ruining. Not quite what I was hoping for but a dash better then where I was at. I planned on fishing another spot last night out of blue thunder but after moving north Dakota, old Minnesota, cleaning Montana, chipping out blocks left behind when I moved north Dakota. Washing the picture windows for Andy and Andy when they arrive Friday for Montana. I was to tired and worn out to augur any holes and wet a line, plus I had to make my homemade pizza for dinner. I will keep trying to check out the area I have in mind. On a side note accu weather had a big swing and a miss They said gust to 26 with a nw wind. I dressed for it and it was a lite southwest wind with sunshine all day, I was so over dressed. Marty made it up today and we have a very busy day today. Not sure how I’m going to dress better check accu weather.
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Another day on such a grand lake has gone and passed. Marty and I had a fantastic day yesterday working on the lake. Were still working on better communications on the lake though. Having some fun with walkie talkies reminded me of when I was a kid in Denver. I got a new set of waklie talkies for Christmas. My uncle Lester showed up and took one in his car to see how far he could go and still here each other. He dropped it out of his car window and ran it over in the driveway.. I was about to throw mine out the window yesterday.
We were able to get the whole fleet in to new fishing grounds. Rick ,Matt and Mike arrived right on time. They have been here many times so giving them directions out was a breeze which made it much easier for me to keep working instead of driving to shore to meet them. Once they were checked in Marty and I cleaned up 3 miles of Buddy Hillmens highway from the dusting of snow we got. Montana is just what Andy requested and they will be bringing there own generator . A dodge truck decided to jump the southern berm and they had there plastic shovel digging it out. I guess they did not want a pull? If your going to off road bring a number two shovel as the plastic ones usually end up as liter when they break. Florida is all banked and ready to augur. North Dakota and North Carolina are together for Tanner and his crew. We still have to position them, block, bank and augur them out. I lost track of how many holes we augured so far this year. I will do the math at the end of the season. I know I'm on my 3rd gallon of gas. So I'm moving Florida yesterday and a truck with chains, towing a old large homemade trailor/fish house comes down the road and stops right in my path. I take a hard right on a old trail and when I bust through the edges florida comes unhooked an d almost passes me. Them steal runners are like ice skates. The guys in the camper swing around when I'm re hooking it up and ask where they biting. I say where did you come from and they say Rodgers. I say how did you get here and they say we have chains. I stopped in to check on the guys in old Minnesota they were sleeping. They had a long drive from il. I lost my spade shovel the other day. My replacement was a old one that has been on the property for ever I imagine. It lasted one day in Marty's hands and broke in two. I made it last a whole week. That brute force of Marty's. Coming off the lake last night and the red barons head lites got broke off as well as the patch work we did last year on the plow frame broke. We will be taking the v plow off today and having Barny repair it asap. Wayne said it would not last when we repaired it last march. I also plan on installing the new injectors. The park ave needs some work to get it road worthy as I spun a bearing on my chrysler car. OOPs. The bravado is leaking antifreeze and is not a head gasket so we also have to look in to that. Well I'm again excited for a awesome weekend .I expect a little better fishing soo time will tell
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Another interesting day on such a grand lake. Marty and I rolled on to the lake around 830am. I was hoping to be on the lake by 730 to catch the sunrise but got delayed. Oh well cant catch them all. Andy and Andy always want to be off by them self ,they bring there own generator and I do my best to get them off by them selfs. When I get out there to my surprise there are 20 rentals that have advanced to the east and now are much closer then where they were the day before. Then there is a new trail to the east. Oh well they still are off by them self and I just hope that the fish are not coming from the north as they have a gammit of lines to get through before they get to montana. The house is on a fresh spot and there is no time to move it and the v plow is out of commission for a day or two. For some reason there is quite a bit more snow in the new area I'm going to ruin. Stopped to see how old Minnesota did and they had better then average fishing .That was great to here as that is really the goal. Putting the houses on fish. We then spent the next 2 hours getting north Dakota and north Carolina set up for tanner and his crew. tanner and his group showed up and I checked them in. Then it was off to prep florida for Rolly and Kevin.Old Minnesota and florida would be running off the same generator. I go to plug it in and I'm 10 feet short. OOPS. I try and keep the houses about 200 feet apart and missed it by 10 feet. rather then go all the way back to shore I was able too borrow a extension cord from Tanner so it all worked out. Just as I was finishing florida Rolly and Kevin arrived. Perfect timing. Marty and I headed home to get the red barons v plow off and get her to town. Arriving back home it was time to rest a bit before taking the hammer out to have dinner with Randy and Tammy in there fish house, cabbage rolls. They were very good. We took Marty's dodge 1 ton. I think great I will dress lightly and where my tennis shoes for a change. After having dinner I jump in the 1 ton diesel and meet Boar on the lake to point him in the right direction with his wheel house. I take him half way down the road where I have my rentals and pull of to a area I like. Boar comes over to say thanks and says I have your new spade shovel. Oh great I will get it tomorrow as I don't need it tonight. I then drive down to the end of the road to check on Andy and Andy. Turns out they have had company most of the day as 5 trucks have driven with in 2 feet of the house to get around to the very end of the trail. Then the whole group moves just after dark and sets up out in front of the picture window, again driving right next to the house to get there. Oh well! I say good night and drive over to say hi and see how there doing. Turns out they are looking for the elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. I then turn and drive towards the trail and proceed to get stuck in 10 inches of snow if that. I jump out to survey the situation and I'm in my tennis shoes. I look in the bed and no shovel. One of the guys says if you have a strap I can tug you out. Looking in the back seat and all I have is a over sized ratchet strap. That would have to do. A little more improvising and they were able to tug me out. Still not sure why I got stuck and I have a sneaky suspicion Marty's tires are a little worn out. Two last stops to top off the generators and check on Tanners group and pick up the hammer and we were on our way off the lake. half way home a jeep decided to cross the south berm and was buried to his running boards. There was a truck helping them out so were headed home. Tired and worn out from another day of fresh air a grand lake
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Yesterday was not a day to be on the lake. Marty and I headed out around 8am to gas up the generators and say goodbye to all our customers from the weekend. I had a sneaky suspicion some would all ready be gone with this major weather system blowing in . We met Tanner and his crew coming off the lake and said our goodbyes. I never got to spend much time with them this weekend so only remember Amanda and brads name the other two I forgot. They had the worst of the fishing in north Dakota but did catch enough for a fish fry and said they were taking some home. Tanner also said they would be back next year for sure. That’s always nice to hear. We also met Bobby joe and Darrel on the road as they were headed to westwind for breakfast. Kellie the hammer and I spent a couple hours Saturday night visiting them and doing a little fishing. When we arrived they had 3 in the bucket. I got the hammer set up and Bobby s rattle wheel went off. She set the hook and got a nice keeper. The hammer lost one at the hole a short time later . Then Bobby had two misses on the same rattle wheel, they sure seemed to like that corner of the house. I stopped in to check on Rolly and Kevin if Florida. They were eating some fresh fish. Kevin said they had caught a few and had enough action to keep them entertained through out the weekend.. Andy an dandy had the best fishing of the 5 houses they figured they landed 20 even though they had a parade of trucks driving by them part of the day. They hooked up with there buddy Sam Saturday and spent the night in his wheel house on a way point from last year. I’m not a huge be leaver in way points out there as the fish move so much with the lack of structure. There are patterns out there and I spose certain areas can be good year to year. They ended up with only 3 fish and no elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies. Oh Rolly did land a nice 14 1/2 Saturday morning. I stopped and talked to a wheel house that had set up just north of florida. They did not do well at all. I also stopped and talked to Boar as I had picked a spot for him. They had pretty good fishing and caught some nice ones and took home 12 nice keepers. We had a couple good laughs about a shovel. I found a shovel he left on the lake weeks ago ,when he ask me if I had found a shovel I said yes I did but he would have to buy a new one as this one has become part of cookies operation. I ask him if he would also pick me up a spade shovel and I would reimburse him this weekend for both. Saturday morning when I stopped to get my shovel I left in a hurry to say good bye to Rick, Matt and Mike. I got a text from boar a bit later that he had found a shovel and it now had became part of his operation. he is coming up again next weekend with a group of 4 h kids so the pressure is on to find him a good spot. Marty and I worked on detailing the houses as the weather quickly started turning for the worse. We had a couple small mishaps that were again to funny. I had a dandy perch laying on the ice in front of florida, when Marty rolled up with the vacuum he made it into a pancake with blue thunder as he did not see it there. Then when is was vacuuming Florida the extension hose fell in the hole and he sucked up a pint or two of water through the vacuum. Coming off the lake a 11am and the north west winds with the snow had started drifting across the roads and things were getting real ugly out there real quick. I would be making another trip out there when Russel and his dad arrived for florida later in the day. They rolled in around 230 and heading out it has become a whole new world out there. I got them checked in and told them they would be hunkering down and do not venture out , I also talked to Bobby and Darrel and left them a spare generator in case any problems developed as I would not be coming back on to the lake in less it was a emergency. The road I made to the houses is completely gone and I imagine it will be easier to cut a new trail then open up the old one which is a shame as I had put quite a bit of time in making it nice and wide with only a big berm on one side. In hind site I should of built the berm on the eastern side and not the west. The way it was blowing it may of not even made a difference. It only made sense to have the berm on that side as all the houses were to the east of the road. I’m not sure what Buddy’s plans will be reopening the road but do know that we have a big work out coming for blue thunder and the red baron. The red baron is still in Kellier but is spose to be done today. 800 hundred dollars worth of work as Barny is reengineering the whole thing and beefing it up . He said with the design the way it was if I ever hit something to hard I would rip the plow right off the front frame horns. With the new design maybe it will be bullet proof. I expect not as the conditions are just so extreme out there. Marty will not be back un tell Friday as he will be bringing his wife up for a weekend of fishing in Montana. Since Montana was only fished 1 day I plan on leaving it where it is and just moving all the drifted snow away from it. I would like to have north Dakota on fresh ice some time before Andrew arrives tomorrow. Old Minnesota needs to be on a new spot by Wednesday and the rest of the fleet by Friday. It should all work out but there is a lot of plowing to do once this wind settles down. I have my eye on a whole new area so we will also see how that pans out through out the week. Randy and Tammy set up right on the spot there were last weekend and did terrible I know I’m not going there
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cookie.........you sure you want to get mixed up in a boars operation???? does his nose lite up and beep!!!!!!! :doah: :rotflmao: :rotflmao:
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boy you sure are brave after i encouraged your to rent from him, maybe cookie needs to rethink that option. :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :moon: :moon: :moon:
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:toast: :toast: :dancinred: :taz: :sorry: :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :laughroll:
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So yesterday I'm plowing buddy hillmens highway. Coming back from the west and what do I find? Yes a shovel. Turns out its mine. I think I'm going to get a rope and start tying it to my wrist before I hit the lake.
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Just as I figured the roads on the lake were quite drifted. The nice thing about Buddy Hillmens' highway as even though the snow had drifted there were still areas of bare ice and as long as you go slow even in blizzard conditions you can navigate your way off the lake. I talked to Buddy before I hit the lake with blue thunder .He told me to start on the north side and cut a new edge all the way to the end of the road. I got on the lake only to be greeted with high winds out of the northwest. With some lite snow coming down on top of the 3 to 5 we got she was blowing across the lake pretty good. I don't quite understand where it all comes from. You would think the way it was howling it would all be blown away in no time but it just keeps coming and coming from the north west. Time I got to the end of the road and turned around the edges I had created were all ready catching snow. I headed back towards shore with a quick stop to check in on Russle and his dad in florida. The easiest thing to do was cross country to the house from the eastern side as the well maintained wide road I had made was pretty much full of snow. Stepping in to the house I from out of that extreme weather and it was just like stepping in to florida 70 degrees and no wind. They only had one keeper? Wow that surprised me as bobby joe and Darrel had left early in the am and had caught there limits less then 200 feet away. I was in a hurry and told them I would be back later. getting back on Buddy Hillmen's highway and pretty much all the work I had done was now filled with more snow so I basically started over only heading east. Once to the end again I turned around and back I went for my third trip. I was clipping along pretty good letting the wind take some of the snow to the south .Another trip to the end and back and half way back I find my square shovel. It had magically fell off the truck. The next trip back I again stopped in at florida but this time I decided to plow into my old road bed. I new I had lost it but had to check it out . Once there a quick look at the box and generator and the extension cord coming out of the box had frozen into the puddle of water created from the exhaust. A little chiseling , repositioning the box and I walked over to old Minnesota. The weight of all the snow from drifting causes water to some how rise out of the holes and oozes out from under the house where it freezes like hot lava and somehow rises above the ice sheet. There under all that fresh ice is my extension cord. Frozen at least 10 feet under two inches of ice I would not be saving that and will have to roll it up hang it on a stick and come back and retrieve it in march when every thing starts to melt. Another quick stop in florida and still no more fish. I spent a few minutes giving them a couple tips,lures and tricks of the trade and off I went again. I met Buddy hillmen v plowing on the way in and his helper Kelly with the straight blade. What a mess as I think the winds had picked up. I was out of gas and needed to get to town to pick up the red baron so off the lake I came. Arriving back home around 5pm I had to put the v plow back on. With Barnys new design It changed the way the plow lifts and I struggled getting it back on. What I could do I my own in the past now I need a second person. Chandler was nice enough to help me and after a couple different atemps we got her back on. I was eager to get back out there and give her a test. buddy and Kelly had called it quits and open up only half the road as I think the winds had picked up when that stupid weather man kept saying on the radio all day the winds would be diminishing. Who makes up these weather reports? I gave the red baron a good work out on the way out and every thing performed just like it was designed. A third stop at florida and it was nice to see some more fish lying on the ice. My tips , tricks and lures had done the trick or the fish decided to swim under the house. Another short visit and off I went to get home for a nice dinner with the hammer and rest up for another day of plowing? Not sure what the plans will be today as the stupid weather says high winds for a third straight day. I hate to cut a new trail to the houses as the drifting will just fill it in. I will have to base my decision when I arrive out there as Russell and his dad are in a car, Andrew Jakes brother will be arriving some time today for north Dakota. Jake said they will help move the house but with the extreme weather not sure if that going to happen today. I also rented florida tomorrow? I may get the chance to see if the house can catch any fish on the fifth night on the same spot. Making any new roads to the houses will only fill in as fast as you make them. Mother nature is the real boss and winner out there and no matter how hard you try she is in control. I plan on hitting the lake at first light this morning and we will go from there. As Dave the old timer said . ITS A GRAND LAKE AND IT OWES ME NOTHING, NOTHING
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I guess that accu weather is struggling with getting there prediction right. Yesterday when I hit the lake with the red baron the winds had finally diminished. I dropped the vplow and off I went throwing snow to the south. When I got to the end of the road I cut a new trail to florida so Russell and Gary could get back on the road. We said our goodbyes and they were taking home there 6 fish. back on Hillmens highway for more plowing. That crazy 454 gets horrible gas mileage. It was burning about a 1/4 tank every 16 miles that's about 5 miles to the gallon. Granted I'm plowing snow. My third trip out and Andrew called with his buddies Dan and Luke. perfect I had Andrew stop by the house and get blue thunder as I would be needed both trucks on the lake. I forgot to tell Andrew to hit the toggle switch for the heater and he had a nice cold ride 8 miles out. When they arrive I then recruited Luke to become the designated v plow driver and I gave him a little training as we headed back to shore for more gas. Coming back on the lake and it was Luke's turn to clip along throwing snow to the south. Once we arrived back to the houses I used the red baron to cut a couple path to north Dakota and old Minnesota I then turned Luke loose to continue v plowing as I recruited the other two to help move north dakota and florida. I have my procedures and with a little orders we had both houses on the main road in no time. Luke arrived back with the red baron and I cut a hole new trail all the way out to montana . A little time making the new road and again with there help we took both houses down the new road in a fishy area to ruin. I had them all set up and fishing by 3 pm and finished the night prepping florida for today. I headed back on the lake around 8pm and they had enough fish for a meal and also caught a couple scufits. I totally forgot to tell them that's a good sign for the elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie? I have just a little more v plowing to do on Buddy Hillmens highway this morning and again she is in great shape. It just amazes me how nice of a road Buddy makes. I have a passion for golf,billards,and working on the lake taking care of customers. Buddy has a passion for making his road and you sure can tell by the time he puts in to it. Its a pleasure to be part of such a long tradition. The red baron has two mounts for the v plow and I think I need to take out the pins and raise the back as the tip of the plow is not quite touching the ice. I will have to wait for Marty to return as the new modification made you need a second person to hook it backup. Off road travel is now a thing of the past in my eyes. As the snow has crusted over trucks with wheel houses are defiantly going to have more trouble going off road. There is a secret to traveling with them but its a secret . If you have a wheel house I would plan on tracking down a v plow or straight blade to cut you a path. Also leave the plastic shovel at home and bring a number 2 spade shovel. It gets old picking up broken plastic shovels. Yesterday was another grand day on such a grand lake . The sun was shining all day and you could see for miles. With snow plumes to the west, east, and south all the operations spent the day opening up all the roads. Today I plan on digging old Minnesota and north Carolina out and getting them into new areas to ruin. Stu and his crew have florida rented today and tomorrow. That means Friday I will have to put florida on a fresh spot for Leroy and family. They have been coming for quite a few years and rented the cabin the first time I met them .
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Well what can I say I guess I worked Andrew, Danny and Luke to hard. There plan was to hit some way points that Jake sent them. The fishing for them in the new spot we set up produced 14 fish and two fishing rods down the holes with one retrieved and one gone to the fish gods. A wheel house moved in just to the south of them around 6pm and they had not caught a fish all night. After checking in on them I was off to finish up a little more plowing on hillmens highway. Once that was done it was back to shore too gather a few more supply's and head back out to move old Minnesota down by montana for the up and coming weekend. I arrived back out to North Dakota and the boys were having a beer and all still in there pajama bottoms. I guess it was just to cold for them to hit any of those way points. Oh well at least they are having a grand time on a grand lake. I headed over to old Minnesota and started the process of digging her out. About 50 feet away another wheel house was set up next to old minnesota. every thing went well as I worked up a good sweat, its hard work but so enjoyable being out in the fresh air . I had the perfect plan after getting old Minnesota set up and checking in Stu and Trevor into florida, Kellie the hammer and I would be having a nice dinner and fishing in old Minnesota. Arriving back to Minnesota around 5pm we were unpacking when a truck pulls up. It was the guys fishing next to old Minnesota in its old spot. They had caught nothing and said they watched me move and wonder if the dog always ran behind me when I towed houses. They assumed I knew where the fish were as they also had caught nothing. I guess I was caught by surprise as one of them called me the fish guy? and I must know where there biting .Would it be ok if they moved down and fished in between old Minnesota and florida. I guess after busting butt all day. Working on the lake 43 straight days I told them to stick it out for the evening as old Minnesota had caught fish there in the evening and if they had bad fishing there was all sorts of areas to move to. I would rather if they would not move down by me. I have always looked at all the fishermen out there as potential customers. In hind site they caught me at the wrong time as I was trying to get the hammer and I set up for the evening. I will see how they did today and if they decide they want to move I can cut them a trail with the v plow. Now for the horrible fishing report. The hammer marked a couple fish and I lost one small scuffit at the hole. We had a supreme dinner, watched a movie and relaxed. I did not climb up on the top bunk of old Minnesota as I know I would of fallen a sleep right away, as I love taking a nap up there. We headed in with a quick stop at florida and north Dakota where the fishing was poor with a few lookers and no takers. Today I plan on taking north Carolina to a completely different area. Wayne will be using old minnesota this weekend and we will talk about moving old Minnesota after he fishes a day or two. Florida and north Dakota will also have to be moved and reset up for the up and coming weekend.
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Wow looking at the calender and the walleye fishing is winding down. 17 days that's all that left. This weekend is going to be a grind. Andrew, Dan and Luke headed home with there nine and ate a few fish so that was a good thing. Trevor and Stu had much better fishing last night and had a few in the bucket with two dandy perch to boot. I on the other hand I had another busy but satisfying day on the lake. I checked on Preston in his giant ice castle . They had slow fishing but Preston did land a trophy. A elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie and is going to get it mounted. Well over 16 inches. Goose and the gang are up and I plowed a area for them .I was wrong about cross country travel to a point as the goose off roaded to his spot. Bryce on the other hand pulled in just at sunset and attempted to make a loop around off the path I plowed and last I saw was digging out his shovel. The goose said he lives for this and loves the adventure so I headed home with out giving them a tug. I on the other hand spent a little time in 'old Minnesota detailing it for the up and coming weekend for Wayne. Old Minnesota came from Milac's back in the crappie day and is Wayne's baby. All though Kellie the hammer and I love it and is our favorite house. I did plow a couple off shoots for wheel houses to give them a couple options. Then there are a few roads that were made after the big blow sunday, monday to retrieve houses. I found a spot to set up north Carolina as Mike is bringing his own generator. I then moved north Dakota on to its new spot. Blue thunders power steering belt is worn out and it has been a bear banking houses with the crusted snow pack. I need to move and bank florida this morning then she can be addressed. Knock on wood. I have been leaving blue thunder out on the lake where she feels right at home as I need both trucks out there so that's the best way without my good friend and helper Marty. He should roll in some time today with his wife and dad for a little r@r and fishing. Sunday 3 of the houses are re rented so more then likely they will all have to be moved on to fresh ice as I can not stand checking in new customers in to a pre fished house unless the fishing had been fantastic. The third night never seems good ? All though for some goofy reason I have seen the fourth night have good to better then good fishing. I will never figure that out. Kevin and his crew have north Dakota Sunday, Monday and are bringing there own generator so I will have to prep a new location for them. My good friends and hunting buddies will be also coming Sunday for north Carolina. Jason and his gal will be coming for Florida.. Then Monday Dave is coming for Florida and Jason and Whitney will move into Montana so both those will have to be reset. Tuesday and Wednesday we will regroup as we again have a full house starting Thursday. Looking back through out the season so far it has been a bit of a grind trying to find great fishing and I would not change it for the world as I just Love be out there on such a grand lake
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Some highlights and some not so highlights of the weekend. First thing I'm looking for my second wind. Thursday I was out on the lake working by my self. I hit a wall about 4pm and wanted to call it a night but knowing we had some cold weather coming Friday morning I kept grinding and got north Dakota moved , blocked, banked before the sun went down. Friday morning would just leave florida to be moved before Leroy and the gangs arrival. Marty rolled back in to town with is wife and father around 11am and would help me prep florida after he got his wife Shelly and dad Les all set up. While we were moving florida Goose called and said swing over for a French dip. One of my favorite sandwiches. I told them I would be over shortly. Not only did they have a French dip but Mellisa, Bryces wife had a fresh piece of apple pie for me and man was that delicious. Thanks guys as that hit the spot. I then gave a couple guys a quick tug as they had gotten stuck with there wheel house. By then Marty had Florida buttoned up and all the houses were ready for the weekend. I forgot to mention with the temps and wind it was absolutely brutal out there and I had to where a face mask as the wind chill had to be -30.
The fishing reports that evening were not to good with only a few fish caught. A lot of fish marked but they refused to bite. Boar rolled in around 9pm and I v plowed him a spot north east of the area I was fishing then a couple guys waved me down and wanted me to cut them a trail to there house as there buddy showed up with a van. I cut them a trail and they offered me a 20. They scraped another 20 together and commented the casino took a chunk of there change on the way up. I never did see how they did as they were just south west of us. Goose and his crew did pretty good and went for a fish fry Saturday afternoon. Boar had 4 Saturday morning as well as north Dakota. Florida had only 3. Mike and his wife in north Carolina did the best of the houses and landed one small but still catchable elusive upper red lake crappie and they did go home with there nine. Old Minnesota and montana just plain stunk. Bradly and the crew in North Dakota did land a 36 inch pike and a 20 inch walleye on a sucker minnow and tip up. They also managed to catch enough fish for 6 to go to west winds for a fish fry saturday eve. Heading off the lake Saturday eve around midnight and again my new generator was not running. I think I'm going to take it to acme this week and throw it through there picture window. A trip to shore to get our back up which is so heavy I had to have wayne in old Minnesota come help me. I get back out there and even though I had it running a month ago to get familiar with it we get it unloaded and it refuses to start. Ok plan B fire up the new one again and this time it fires right up and again runs all night with no issues? Sunday morning and Marty wife's car will not start. We set it up with a torpedo and blankets to warm the engine and unplug the power to montana as the torpedo needs power to run the blower. Marty and I are over moving Florida and North Dakota to a new area as I have not ruined but destroyed the area were fishing. Next thing you know the front clip of Shelly's car is on fire. The generator had ran out of gas and with out the blower running on the torpedo she got hot and burst in to flames . Wayne ran over and with the fire extinguisher from Montana and was able to put it out. Her car needs to be towed off the lake this morning.
It was a very tough weekend to say the least. I do believe all things happen for a reason, I'm just not sure why sometimes. I will be heading out shortly to retrieve shell's car and then have old Minnesota and montana will have to be moved, plus Hillmens Highway has 5 inches of powdered snow to remove. Just another busy day on such a grand lake
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WOW cookie, sounds like ya survived a tough one!!!!!! ever think its boars fault????????
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ever since he rented to u glenn, things have been getting kindanfunny, just sayin.hmmmmm
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ever since he rented to u glenn, things have been getting kindanfunny, just sayin.hmmmmm
FINE!!!!!!!!! I am shackin with you next time!!!!!!!!!!!
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He was awful close? but as they sat fawninnae
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:rotflmao:
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The elusive yet still catchable upper red lake walleye? Yes you read that right.The walleye fishing this year has not been any thing like I expected. I've pretty much done what I have done every year but for some reason this year the bite has been much tougher. No matter how bad the bite is here on upper red lake some one is always hammering them? Makes you wonder if a some of them reports are fiction? How many times I have heard we caught 50 we caught a 100 in two days. I have been doing this for 13 years, I pretty much move my house's at least once or even twice a week all year long. Lets just say once a week. 5 houses 10 weeks. That's 50 spots and that's way on the low side. 13 years that's 650 spots if I'm doing the math right. Andy and Andy had a weekend where they figured they caught 75 fish. There's been some 50 fish weekends for sure. 100 fish in two nights on the same spot I don't think has ever happened in one of our houses since the crappie days. As my good buddy Wayne always says if we caught them all there would not be any left. Mother nature always steps in, be it summer, winter, spring or fall. Its fishing not catching. If you think about it were catching a fish out of a 8 inch hole on how many acres. Its amazing we even catch one fish. Now for a report. Jason and his wife were in florida Sunday, Monday on a new spot . They only caught a couple fish the first day. They did eat a couple for dinner . The second night the rattle wheels went crazy around midnight and Jason got up and landed numerous fish. Wayne, Kellie the hammer and I fished old Minnesota and only caught a few fish, better then the old spot but not what I expected. The second night and the rattles wheels kept Wayne awake from midnight tell 1 30 am in old Minnesota. Last night we had dinner out there and prime time, the bewitching hour we never landed a fish? Montana on a new spot had Jim and Dave. They had limited action ,I moved then to florida yesterday and they had much better fishing and that would of been the third night on the same spot? North Dakota had Luke, Kevin, Tina and Kristy. They caught fish with a couple bigger pike on tip ups plus one of the girls landed a 36 inch pike on her rod and reel. Yesterday I spent part of the day finishing up plowing hillmens highway. I said goodbye to Kevin and his crew and Jason and his wife. I spent part of the day just hanging out with wayne and not moving any thing. I got a little rest and may of found my second wind. Today its back to the grind as I plan on again having all 5 houses on fresh ice. Shell chick and Jeff roll in tomorrow for old Minnesota and Dan and Andrea are in florida. Mike and Neil are in Montana Friday and Mike and his crew are in north Dakota. North Carolina is open but I will still be moving that house as it was fished two day last weekend. I did set up a wheel house in the area where Goose was and they caught a few with a 36 inch pike on a rod and reel at 10 o'clock pm. Crazy pike. Rodger and Rich showed up Monday night and have only caught one walleye and one pike in there personal hard house. Oh well its called fishing not catching. I will attempt to catch a few elusive yet still catchable walleyes starting tomorrow
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Another fun weekend is about to begin. With the hammers sister and two brothers coming up I will be prepping all the house's for the weekend. Dan plays the guitar and sings will be entertaining us with some good old country music. I started a new road to the north and piled into some sheets of broken refrozen ice. I would assume its the table size sheets of ice Jon captured on his camera this last dec as it broke up and refroze. If it does not get smoother its going to be a little tougher banking the houses and I may have to use the red baron instead of blue thunder for banking. I like to bank the snow 2 to 3 feet high around the houses to keep any drafts from entering the houses. Its quite a lot more work but that's what I like . Marty is home in the cites trying to find a new car for his wife after are car- bu- cue as wayne coined it. I guess you have to laugh and at least no one got hurt. I set up Chris and ken next to florida and the first 24 hours they only landed 5 walleyes . I talked to Ken last night and they were now over twenty fish so it has picked up a bit but they are biting very lite. a small bare hook and split shot on a dead stick has been about the only thing that has been working. I also had Gary and his wife Kay fishing in florida on the same spot for the 5th day in a row? While I was visiting during the bewitching hour Kay landed one nice keeper, missed two on the rattle wheel and Gary missed one on his bobber set up with his duck shaped jig stick. Kay had a bobber on the size of a quarter and I watched it go down two inches and it was still a swing and a miss as it seems they are just chomping down on the tail of the minnow. I mentioned to bear paw last week that I think the bigger fish are in close to shore and yesterday I had to rub my eyes as there's 3 of his biggest houses out in front of my place and his, fishing the break line in 8 feet of water? Should be a great evening bite and early morning. Not sure about the day bite but it sure can not be any worse then 8 miles out. Wayne fished old Minnesota hard and had great action two nights in a row around midnight. Again the bite was extremely lite and if you jigged the minnow at all they were gone like a rocket. He did get to go home with three quality fish. We had a hoot as he was here 5 days and is one of my best friends. The hammer raked in a bundle of ones playing poker and yesterday morning Wayne and I had a couple great games of texas hold em. Fun Fun Fun. I was also able to put him to work as he helped detail the houses. He even washed the picture windows. We also added a couple more trinkets to the walls of old Minnesota and montana. Jeff is bringing up a new furnace for montana as after 10 solid years the Orbis went kapoot. A brand new empire 35000 btu . I think its a little over board but that's what the gas man recommended for the square footage. Its going take up a little floor space and a shelf will have to be moved. Florida and old Minnesota will also be getting up graded in the near future. Lee will be arriving with two young guys in his wheel house and I will be plowing him a spot well off the beaten path into a completely un fished area. Randy and Tammy are also coming up. Randy talked about setting up close to shore but with the wife's family coming up I hope they set up out by us so they can enjoy the music and company of the hammers family. My old helper and muscle Tony boy is also coming up with his wife and will be bunking with Ken. It will be good to see him as its been a while. I expect shell chick will be making French dips as she does every year and it is one of my favorite sandwiches. I also hope to do a little tip up fishing with Jeff as we target a few big pike. All the houses will be set up on fresh ice and no matter how they do I will not be moving any houses if the fishing is not good. Since north Carolina is not rented I'm going to set it up in a completely different area miles away from the other houses and see what happens there. I also have to remember to put on the extension on my augur as I measured 29 inches of ice where were at and with the houses blocked up I just made it through last time I augured. Moving onto that broken ice and it could be a lot thicker. Should be a great time this weekend and such a grand lake.
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The old adage time flies by when your having fun could not be any truer. Just 7 days of the game fish season left. Wow where did it go? Man did the fishing flip flop from Friday to Saturday. North Dakota only landed the one 19 incher when I checked on them saturday morning. old Minnesota and florida had there keepers. Mike, Neil and Kayla had 7 .Mikes plan was to eat them all so they could try for a limit to take home. Randy and his crew in there wheel house did really well. It sounds like Randy is going to come up this summer and let me take him and his wife fishing in" Imagine That" our 20 foot tyee. The greek named the boat . Grandma use to say uuu EEEmadgen dat in that strong Swedish accent.
Lee and his crew in there wheel house did not do that great and moved down a little closer to where we were. They only had a little better fishing Saturday in to the evening . I plowed a spot for Matt, Jeromy and Matts dad and they did not do well at all Saturday night? Randy just 100 yards away did well all day into the evening. That's twice this year that Randy as done real well and I'm thinking he may be one of them blessed fishermen that just has a nact for catching fish. I set up Chuck and Kathy to the east of us and they had there 6 by 8;30 pm and went to bed. Chucks son came up with his portable Saturday and they only scratched out 5 more fish un tell the called it a day. Chuck and Kathy got 2 yesterday morning and I will see how they did last night later today. That will be the third night on the same spot as he did not want to do a cookie shuffle and move 25 yards on to fresh ice. Lonnie and family with there wheel house went to where we had gotten a total of 14 elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies earlier in the year. When I talked to him they were moving as they had only landed two walleyes. I also talked to another guy that was fishing in the same area and he said they pounded the fish Friday but Saturday was not very good, No elusive upper red lake crappies. I did ask him if he caught any small walleye scufitts and he said they sure did? Adam landed on 5 keepers Friday night into Saturday morning and packed up to move out by us where they did real well just east of us with Justin landing a elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie sunday morning. Lonnie called sunday morning to say where they moved to was not that good and they only landed two keepers. He did say that quite a few elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies were caught in the area with a portable landing 15 or so? Turns out they new some one in a rental and fished by them so there families could hang out. Tammy, Tanner, Taylor and Randy tried in very shallow as I had a hunch a few weeks ago that that's where the bigger fish are hanging out. They had action all weekend missing quite a few fish. Randy said there was no night bite at all. I expected that's when it would of been the best. Stupid fish. They did take home 7 with 4 over 17. I would love to have all my houses in that area but its so close to shore fishermen think there getting ripped off when the road goes out 10 miles. If the fishing is good then you look like the hero but if its not there like why are all those houses out there? That happen earlier this year when I was out a mile and half and we had poor fishing.
Ken, Tony boy, Chris and Leah also moved down by us to the north Friday. They had horrible fishing and moved to the other side of old Minnesota where they only landed 5 more fish Saturday. Mike, Neil and Kayla ate all 7 of there fish and went home with zero as they could not buy a fish Saturday night. Crazy. Dan and Adrea had good fishing all weekend in florida 200 feet away. Tony Boy helped me moved North Dakota over towards us for Mike and his crew and they were a 100 yards from Randy's crew doing well and they hardly caught any thing. All though Mike did catch something lol. All and all not to bad of a weekend, spent some quality time with family, had a ton of fun and didn't have to work to hard. Today its back to work as the hammer is going to drive the red baron out so I can have both trucks to move florida for Dave and his crew arriving later today. I did have four locals from blackduck fish florida yesterday into the evening where it was a little slow. Forth night on the same spot. Ron did land a elusive yet still catchable 15 inch upper red lake crappie his biggest ever and his first walleye through the ice. I was really hoping to see a few more elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies as I have shifted gears and am on the hunt for the mother load, with walleyes now the secondary fish. I have a huge area to shift all the houses to for the up and coming week. With two caught the mother load could be just a few 100 yards away. Right now my plans are to hunt them down and spend some quality time in old minneosta with the hammer. Jake and his crew will be up march 10th 11th as well as Don and his crew. They will all be bringing portables and enjoying there evenings relaxing in the house's and who knows maybe even catching a few elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies out of the houses. It happened last year, there should be no reason we cant doing it again. I assume Buddy Hillmen will also have some houses available the next few weeks. The stores number is 218 647 8504. I'm never ready for the season to end as its so much fun and I so much enjoy working out there. As most of the resorts start pulling house off to the east,, there I am every year? towing houses to the northwest.
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so cookie, you finally get rid of that pesky boar????????? ;) :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao:
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The hammer, the trooper. Yesterday morning needing the red baron and blue thunder on the lake I recruited the sweet hart to drive blue thunder out. She could relax in old Minnesota and watch a movie and do a little fishing while I moved Florida for Dave and his crew arriving later in the day. Dave rolled In around 2 and I checked them in and we headed off the lake as we had to be in Bemidji before 4 30. I forgot to hit the toggle switch for the heat on blue thunder and the hammer got a little cold driving in. The same thing happened to Andrew earlier this year when I had him bring blue thunder out on the ice. OOPS! I have to remember that when I let some one drive her. We arrived home fairly late and I was not able to go out and Check on Dave . I did shoot him a text and he said 2 perch and 2 scuffit walleyes. I just do not get it. Chuck and Kathy got there limit sunday a couple hours after dark and headed home. I moved florida just a bit beyond where randy did well friday and Saturday, and Chuck and Kathy did well the first night and the third night. Just like that and the area is fished out? Oh well the hammer did mark a couple of fish while I was working but did not land anything. Old minnesota had good fishing the first night and slower the second with fishing it during the day the third time not producing anything. Will see how Dave and the boys did this morning and maybe I will have to move even further with the houses for the up and coming final weekend of game fish. If the weather man is right it should be a glorious day on such a grand lake that as the old timer Dave said" It owes me nothing! nothing! The plans are to take my time and dig all 3 houses out of there icy tombs and stage them for the next big move. Florida will have to be moved again after Dave leaves tomorrow. Montana will be set up today then be moved after Rick leaves Friday morning. The hammer and I will be fishing old Minnesota off and on all week and will be moved on fresh ice before Friday, but I want to see what happens if its fished a couple more nights on the same spot. All them fish are becoming very elusive?
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The hammer, the trooper. Yesterday morning needing the red baron and blue thunder on the lake I recruited the sweet hart to drive blue thunder out. She could relax in old Minnesota and watch a movie and do a little fishing while I moved Florida for Dave and his crew arriving later in the day. Dave rolled In around 2 and I checked them in and we headed off the lake as we had to be in Bemidji before 4 30. I forgot to hit the toggle switch for the heat on blue thunder and the hammer got a little cold driving in. The same thing happened to Andrew earlier this year when I had him bring blue thunder out on the ice. OOPS! I have to remember that when I let some one drive her. We arrived home fairly late and I was not able to go out and Check on Dave . I did shoot him a text and he said 2 perch and 2 scuffit walleyes. I just do not get it. Chuck and Kathy got there limit sunday a couple hours after dark and headed home. I moved florida just a bit beyond where randy did well friday and Saturday, and Chuck and Kathy did well the first night and the third night. Just like that and the area is fished out? Oh well the hammer did mark a couple of fish while I was working but did not land anything. Old minnesota had good fishing the first night and slower the second with fishing it during the day the third time not producing anything. Will see how Dave and the boys did this morning and maybe I will have to move even further with the houses for the up and coming final weekend of game fish. If the weather man is right it should be a glorious day on such a grand lake that as the old timer Dave said" It owes me nothing! nothing! The plans are to take my time and dig all 3 houses out of there icy tombs and stage them for the next big move. Florida will have to be moved again after Dave leaves tomorrow. Montana will be set up today then be moved after Rick leaves Friday morning. The hammer and I will be fishing old Minnesota off and on all week and will be moved on fresh ice before Friday, but I want to see what happens if its fished a couple more nights on the same spot. All them fish are becoming very elusive?
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Crazy Fish is all I can say. When I arrived out to Florida the boys had kept 7 nice keepers over night. I had to ask Dave in Florida a favor? If he would give me a ride to shore to get the red baron. It was snowing like a banshee. I did not see that coming. Accu weather said flurries. Heading in and it was coming down so hard you could not even see the southern berm? Then just like that heading back out and the snow tapered off with a cool north breeze. I dropped a line in old Minnesota while I made my plan and darn if I did not get a nice keeper on a new pinkish rattling flyer at 10 30 am. The hammers dinner. Digging out Montana and north Dakota went real well and are now staged for the next move. After the hammer and I had dinner in old Minnesota last night I will be moving old Minnesota today. I wanted to see if the fishing could or would get better? We were set up at the bewitching hour and had a nice run of keeper perch landing 5 as the sun went down. Then one small scuffitt walleye and not another bite. The hammer did mark a couple fish but would not bite? We headed in around 8pm. A quick stop at Florida and the guys hammered the fish just after dark. They even landed two pike a 30 and 40 after the sun set. A wheel house set up to the south west of us and I heard they had 5 before dark. A very fishy area to end the game fish season. How sweet is that. I was hoping to see at least a couple more elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies in the area so I could fine tune where they may be hiding. Kimmy Joy and Tim also rolled in with there wheel house around 7pm and I set them up right in line where the two elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies were caught sunday morning and sunday evening. So far we have only caught 16 for the season out of the houses and every single one has been at the crack of dawn or just after sunset? At this time I must have 3 square miles of un fished area to try and find them. The red baron will be getting a good workout as I plow every which way I want? I guess I will be the rouge plower. Tyler was out there yesterday looking for a few fish and said he augured 140 holes and only found one elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. He also said I was real close to where we pounded them years ago when I introduced him to Spence as his gps said Spence and cookie. I remember the first time I met him and his dad. Spencer was playing high school hockey . Now he is out of collage and a full time guide all over the Midwest. Tyler and him have become very good friends.
I have a couple wheel houses coming up this weekend and will be plowing them a few trails looking for the mother load. Casey in North Dakota is going to pound the ice looking for the elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie and be using the house as a home base? This is not the first time I have heard this and once they check in its like you know its kinda cold out and were awful comfortable right here so we will see. Maybe if I pay them as scouts? I'm going to set up Tammy and Randy where we got the 14 elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies earlier this year. There is a wheel house in the area and he came back after taking his grandson home. I did talk to him and he is having action with quite a few small scuffit walleyes? Again a very fishy area. Florida had such good fishing I would like to leave it where its at but I can not have it set up the way I like if its not on fresh ice so it will be moved today once the boys leave. Rick King is coming up today and I'm still not sure what house I want him in. Even though it will just be him I will more then likely have to move it Friday morning . I can tell him not to fish it hard but that does not make a whole lot of sense lol. I want all the houses on fresh ice for the final game fish season so that will be the plan.
All the house will be moved after sunday even though none are rented un tell our crappie get together on the 11th and 12th of march. I will be vacationing out there looking for the mother load enjoying all the comforts of home in our favorite house old Minnesota. Any fishermen out there looking for a little more fishing time give me a shout. Who knows,last year we had some magical moments after the game fish season ended. I would love to see that happen again.
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Nice report Cookie! As always!
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This may be a little long so bear with me. Just like that and the game fish season has came to a end. One big thanks goes out to all my customers again this year. Thank you and I hope to see you again next year. Mother nature was a little kinder to us this year when it came to the weather. 13 years of doing this and every year is different. The biggest snow fall so far was maybe 5 inches. I would guess we have had a total of 15 inches for the season so far. The first year I was up here and there was no snow on the lake most of the season. Two years ago and it seemed like it was 20 below every day with 3 feet of snow.
Getting all the houses ready for the final weekend was a little hectic as Rick and Yobee pulled out Friday morning . They fished Montana for two days and did fairly well. Thursday I checked Casey and his crew into North Dakota and Tim and Bradon in to Florida. Wayne also rolled in for old Minnesota late Thursday night. Friday morning after saying good bye to Rick and Bradon Wayne detailed Montana for me while I prepped her for a short move. Chris would be arriving later in the day. Chris won a free night I gave away on Minnesota Outdoorsman MNO. They have a winter and summer fishing contest every year . Its free to sign up as long as you post 10 times in a certain amount of time. I will be signing up for there summer contest as last year I tied for biggest fish and won 40 dollars worth of cabellas gift cards. I also had a few wheel houses coming out to the area I was fishing. My hope was to find a few more elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies. The area had all ready produced a few in the last 10 days. I set up Goose, Bryce and Gary to the east of us right in line with the few that had been caught. Old Minnesota and North Dakota were also in line while florida and montana were to the south west a bit. Chuck and Kathy set up real close to where they had good fishing last weekend. Preston with his 30 foot ice castle set up just to the west of where florida had such good fishing last sunday and Monday. 3 wheel house set up just west of where we got 2 elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies last sunday and they were the big winners landing five for the weekend. Lonnie was just south of them and they also had a group of 3 wheel houses and landed 2. For some crazy reason that little area has produced every single one with none coming south or north 50 yards away.
Florida had good fishing all three days. They were fishing very small jigs tipped with fatheads a inch off the bottom. Montana with Paul, Chris, Danial and Heather just to the west of florida had so so fishing but they were having a good time. North Dakota caught walleyes the whole weekend While the hammer, Wayne and I struggled to land a fish all weekend. Wayne did have a nice run Friday afternoon when he landed a 22 and two 16s in a matter of 5 minutes.
Wayne loves small planes and Jrs corner was having there second annual fly in so we drove down there Saturday to check it out. I never new Wayne new so much about small planes but it turns out he was full of knowledge. I on the other hand. I know nothing about them. I would highly recommend checking it out next year as all those different colored planes sitting on the white back ground of the lake were quite the sight. Looking in them up close I was surprised how small the seating is. It was also cool to watch them land one after the other and taxi into position. I wished we would of stayed longer to watch then take off and I hope next year we can do that. Very cool.
Goose, Gary and Bryce did not do that well where they were at .Goose's house did the best of the 3. I did see where Bryce landed a elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie to the area they moved to sunday for there last night on the lake.
I set Randy, Tammy and Randy's dad up where we landed the 16 eluisive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies weeks ago Randy's dad Rich did land one late Friday afternoon but that was it. That area is also a little fishy and I think Randy said they ended up catching 14 walleyes for the weekend. Randy said he will be back for our crappie get together on the 11th of march. As far as I know at this time Buddy Hillmens Highway will be open and he will have a few rentals out there as will I. Tyler at bear paw is also chasing the elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies this year and has some type of guiding deal going on. If you want to increase your odds of finding a few you could also give him a call. Carson, Franks nephew found 14 this past weekend. I also talked to a wheel house that landed 10. Casey on his hunt landed a total of 7 for the weekend. I will be moving all the houses this week a little closer to shore as I'm out over 9 miles at this time. I will be working on the lake every day ,but there will be quite a bit of r and r in old minnesota as its has been a long season
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thanks for greatl season cookie.!!
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I look forward to reading Cookies reports every time. Thank you. :happy1:
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Yes thanks Cookie for another great season of your very special and very informative Cookie Reports (I've always wanted to ask you how long it takes to type those). And a couple of face to face meetings - and I wish there were more.
I look forward to battling you for "Biggest Pike" in the summer Challenge.
Doug
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hey Doug I would say any from a 1/2 hour to 1 hour. I'm a very slow typer and flunked typing in jr high twice lol. If there was more feed back on the forums it would take me much longer though. It takes me at least 15 minutes to copy, cut and paste.
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My good friend Wayne decided to stay for the final evening sunday night. After 3 nights of horrible fishing I suggested I move old Minnesota to the corner where we have found a few crappies the last 10 days. He was like for get that its to much work just leave it here. The hammer and I would be joining him for another evning of fishing, card playing, dinner,music and just having fun. With 6 lines down and the hammer working her vexlar a few fish showed off the bottom but it was again terrible fishing. I had a tip up set with a sucker for all most a day and then switched to a huge golden shiner and never had a flag. Around 10 pm it started to snow and the hammer had to work in the morning so we called it a night. I was driving the red baron while kellie was driving her trail blazer. Not a mile in to the trip off the lake and its was a full blown blizzard. With the way my plow lights are aimed and the giant snow flakes It was like driving with your high beams on in a snow storm. I could not see 2 feet in front of me. Keeping to the northern edge of hillmens highway just out my drivers window with the window down we made our way home. I tried crossing over to the southern edge thinking I could see the snow bank better? Nope with the way the snow was drifting at a angle you could not see that edge at all. After a very slow ride I called kellie and told her to come up a long side of me to see if that would help. I then tried with my lights off? Nope no good. We them finished our trip home side by side. The hammer was again a trooper. Its amazing how much comfortable she has become on the lake considering years ago she was all most petrified to even ride on a lake. The 10 mile trip took us close to a hour to get home and I'm not kidding we pulled into the drive way and the snow quit? Monday morning and there was not a stitch of snow on either vechicle. Mean while back in old Minnesota while we were driving away the crazy fish decided they were hungry. Using the golden shiners that the Goose had left us Wayne caught fish after fish for over 3 hours. Just like that he got his final 3 for the season. He also had two line snappers. He said once the snow stopped the wind came out of the nw like a freight train and the fish kept biting. Every time he tried to lay down the rattle wheel would go off. Then he could not sleep as with the high winds the window screen was banging ,the stove pipe was making all sorts of crazy sounds and the wind was that whistling sound . When he did get to sleep around 5am once the wind laid down he got a few hours of sleep. he awoke around 10am when I arrived. About two hours later he realized his fishing pole was gone? To funny. He thinks he remembers a splashing sound and he looked around and fell back a sleep.
We only got a quick 1/2 inch of snow but with them high winds there's plenty of plowing to do the next couple of days as we re clear Hillmens highway. The one nice thing is the snow was a very light fluffy snow in stead of a warm wet type. I have 4 foot drifts around the houses but its not a huge deal as the snow is very light and moves out of the way pretty easy at this time. The plan today will be to move all the drifts away from the house's and start getting them out of there nest as Buddy hillmen call them. Then a big move as I start my journey looking for the mother load of the elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies. At this time all the houses are wide open and un rented un tell the 10th of march. I should have them all set and ready to fish by the weekend in traditional crappie grounds. Once old Minnesota is set the hammer and I will be spending quite a bit of time out there the next 10 days as that is my vacation again this year. Yes its a working vacation but still its a vacation
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Well it was back to work yesterday. Buddy Hillmen’s highway is again wide open 10 miles out after a day of dragging and plowing. I talked to Buddy briefly and he plans on pulling two more of his houses to shore as just like that and the phone calls have all most came to a end. I ‘m never ready to pull the plug when those beautiful elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies are starting to put on there feed bags. The best report I have heard so far is 22 fish landed by a group of 4. With one person landing on the honey hole and reeling in 14 of the 22. The area I just left had a little corner of around 20 acres that produced a few over the last two weeks. Remember a few? A few in fishing lingo is 12 to 16. Not the mother load by any means but just landing one of these very elusive fish you get the feeling you landed a trophy. And that my friends is a good feeling. Looking for them on the other hand can be a tremendous amount of work on such a big body of water. If you get just one there’s a reason he or she was there and as we all know crappies travel in schools? The crappie highway is still out there and still very active in my book. That’s where I’m headed.
Yesterday after plowing for two hours I was off to the area I have ruined, With the wheel houses I set up we managed to ruin at least 100 acres of 48,000. We did manage to get a 7 elusive upper red lake crappies though out the weekend. Plus numerous walleyes, perch and a couple big pike .
Buddy said he thinks some pike have moved in to the area he was working as the elusive upper red lake all of a sudden became very elusive? If anyone can find them again it would be Buddy. I tried to get a hold of Tyler from bear paw as he can also find these very elusive fish. No answer though? Glad it was not a emergency. Yesterday after taking care of the road I was off to start the manual labor of digging out the houses. Florida was only sitting on 19 inches of ice where I had it and the water had oozed out and made quite the mess of things. Montana and North Dakota were sitting on well over two feet of ice? Those three house are now staged for there next destination. I will be heading out to dig out old Minnesota later this morning. I did wet a line a couple times while I was out there yesterday. When I dropped a forage minnow tipped with a minnow a big wide red line came charging up from the depths only to hit the breaks three feet off the bottom and slowly drift back to the bottom. My first thought seeing such a wide line was here we go a elusive upper red lake crappie. I may never know what it was though as it took a couple more looks and then it was gone. I’ll drop a line when I first get out there this morning while I prep old Minnesota for its journey. Jake is pretty excited about getting up here on the 9th of march and is chomping at the bit. The passion he has for fishing is second to none , If he is not fishing he is watching fishing ,reading about fishing, talking about fishing, getting a fish tattoo, pretending he is fishing and in general wishing he was fishing. Tyler also has that passion and that’s all they do if hunt and fish. Buddy Hillmens another one, when the ice leaves the lake he will be heading to Alaska where he is going fishing. Its fishing for a living but its still fishing. Wayne is another. He is a little different though as he has caught so many fish it really does not matter its more about the relaxation it produces for him. Its just tranquil to him, it reminds him of all the time spent fishing with his dad. Now me I love the comradery of fishing, I want to fish with people and catch the biggest? Not the most just the biggest. I find it hard to fish by my self. All though once I get the line wet I’m fine . Taking out the boat by my self can be a chore ,but once I’m out there its very relaxing. Pre fishing for a guided trip ? I have been catching fish on this lake since I was 6 years old puking out the side of the boat with my dad egging me on. I still think he did it on purpose ? The greek was born to fish. If I could paint pictures one that stands out in my mind is a year I talked the greek into leaving his boat on the water un tell the last day possible. We had to pull a boat and a pontoon at the last minute as a big storm was coming with below zero temps to follow. I was standing at the end of the dock with the wind blowing 20 miles a hours out of the north east. With white caps in the back ground and that little boat bouncing off the dock the greek jumps in and was leaned over pulling the rip cord to start it. Giant snow flakes were going down his open collar with his jacket un zipped, waves splashing over the boat and he was right at home . Yes I would love to paint that picture. Where is the greek now? Spending time living on a boat in florida un tell he heads back to Alaska to do what? Time to get to work as I’m on a mission. The hammer wants to fish tonight and if any one can catch a elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie out of old minnesota it is her.
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Some days things do not click as you would expect. Old Minnesota was the last house I had to dig out. I have a system that works pretty good as long as you do not try and take short cuts. I can uu bank which ever side I'm towing from and one side of the house. In a pinch I can hook up and give it a good jerk/tug and she will break loose. The better way is to jack up the end I'm towing from dig out a small opening over half way under both sides and stand a 2x4 on its edge on both sides. For some reason I guess I got lazy and only put a 2x4 under one side. As you lower the house back down it cause a titter todder effect and the weight of the house breaks the other end loose. Then its just back up, hook up the chains and off we go. Old Minnesota is our heaviest house but with this procedure she comes out of the hole pretty easy. When I'm working alone once I pull out I stop and go retrieve the blocks and any other things that may of gotten left under the house. I walk back chip out the blocks and turn around and to my surprise the snow packed around the rack for the propane holding tank has half way torn out of the wall and also ripped the bottom 2x4s off and there are the 100 lb tanks held up off the ice by the lines. I quickly turned off the propane and evaluated the situation. I was able to stack a few 2x4s underneath the tanks to take the pressure off the lines and remove the lines and tanks. It was a little tough lifting them straight up though as they are heavy. I was then able to repair the rack with a good old hammer and re install the tanks. No its not quite over though. As I said it was one of those days. I go to grab my phone and darn if I can not find it? After spending quite a bit of time looking for it in both trucks ,kicking the snow around and I just could not find it. What a crappy feeling when you loose your phone. back to the project at hand and off I went towing old Minnesota to its new area. I would come back for the red baron later in the day. Once I arrived to the new area I had to un hook the house and prep a area with blue thunder instead of the red barons v plow. Then back to retrieve old Minnesota and pull it in to its spot. As I was blocking it up joel came over to see if I needed a hand. I said no I got it but I could use a ride back to the red baron as I had forgotten to grab the auger. I had transferred it into the red baron after I had opened up the edge of Buddy hillmens highway Tuesday. It was caked with snow when I put it in there and I had planned on bringing it in the shop to dry it off . When we arrived joel called my phone but we could not here it ringing and it did not go to voice mail so I new it had to still be somewhere warm. Once back to old Minnesota we again rang my phone, still could not here it. I then walked in to old Minnesota and there it was laying on the bed. What a relief. I prepped the house for auguring the holes and warmed up the augur and luckily I started where two holes go side by side because as I finished the first hole Number two augur kept running at full speed. Trying to handle a raging auger with a 18 inch extension can be a handful. I was able to get it back down on the ice and let it start drilling the second hole so I could turn it off. Wow what a day. I then headed home to pack up our gear for a night of relaxation fishing with the hammer and preparing a nice meal. Cornish game hens, mixed veggies and pasta. We watched a couple movies, lost a few fish that I think may of been elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies? I think I fell a sleep around 10 pm . The rattle wheels went off every couple hours all night long with a couple misses and a couple walleye landed. While making coffee Thursday morning just as the sun was coming up and the hammer landed a elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. We had to pack it up soon after as I had some business in Bemidji. Tammy and Randy arrived out there yesterday afternoon as well as Duke last evening so I will see how they have done as I haul the rest of the fleet into the area. I'll need both trucks out there again so I will see if Randy can give me a ride back to shore. Nothing is rented un till Monday but the hammer and I will be having dinner and movies out there every night all weekend long looking for the mother load
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Trolling with old Minnesota? I told the hammer I will be moving old Minnesota on to fresh ice today. Tammy and Randy were up to 7 elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies. Duke was up to 5. Another group got 3 last night out of the same hole. Other then that there were less then a dozen fishermen hunting for these very elusive fish. Yesterday on my working vacation I headed out on the lake with blue thunder.to bring the rest of the fleet down the mile road I made to get to the area I wanted to fish. The reflection of the sun causes the one side of the shacks to melt into the ice a bit. each house had to be broken loose but that was not a big deal. As it started to snow. Every thing went smooth and I had them all over there in short order. I then ask randy if he could give me a ride to shore to get the red baron as both trucks are required to prep areas. The snow had picked up quite a bit. It had to be coming down more then a inch a hour. When we arrived onto Hillmens highway it was a full blown white out. Realizing it was dangerous and impossible to see we quickly turned around and headed back where I would be taking a nap in old Minnesota while wetting a line. Duke and his buddy were going out searching for the mother load and stopped by but they said I was sleeping like a baby. I did not sleep long and the rattle wheel awoke me. A couple misses and another elusive yet all most catchable upper red lake crappie was lost at the hole. Educated another one. It was then time to get back to work. Once I arrived back to old minnesota with the hammer I got back to work prepping a new area for montana as Marty and his sweetie shell are headed up this morning. Once I had montana blocked banked and all set up I headed back for another evening of movie watching, cooking dinner and maybe catching a elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. When I stepped in the house the hammer was not happy as a fish got her new 6 dollar lure. She tried the rest of the evening to re catch that fish and get her lure back with no avail. Once marty arrives we will be heading out to augur out a couple holes in montana and I will sniff out a new spot for the hammer and I to enjoy another evening of fishing with friends on such a grand lake.
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Just like that and another season is in the books. 79 days and nights on such a grand lake. Every year is different and again this year was different. With the late ice watching all the outfitters and resorts coming up with plan bees to accommodate there clients was very interesting. I had to start right in front of my place as that's the only place I could find over 14 inches of ice. That shallow water bite can be fantastic and we did have a few nights of great fishing in 7 to 8 feet of water. Getting the houses out to buddy Hillmens highway was a challenge, but with my good friend Marty,s help we were able to improvise and get them over there with out going through Buddys southern berm. From there it was off to find the mother lode. Finding a good late night bite was brutal. Being we rent sleepers I would like the rattle wheels going off all night . We had some nights that the rattle wheels had to be pulled up but not what I have become accustomed to? I found some good fishy areas and the fish would refuse to bite? We slowly migrated out to deeper water driving over millions of fish to catch a few? The sunrises and sunsets never get old and again my phone is full of morning and evening pictures. The red barons v plow got a whole new face lift and was much needed as I demolished it last year chasing the very elusive but still catchable upper red lake crappie. Blue thunder two's 2nd year on the lake and I could not be happier with its performance. What a great truck." knock on wood" I expect to get a good ten more years out of her if not more. My good friend Wayne was able to come up every other weekend and we had some good laughs and epic cards games. Mother nature was very kind to us this year as every year is different. The houses flooded just about every ware we set up. Working on the lake everyday was a joy. there were a few cuss words now and then but that's nothing new. I again met some great people that will or have become life long friends. My goal has always been to have repeat customers .That has worked out real fine as it sure is nice to see them year after year. I never stop learning new things on the lake and Buddy Hillmen taught me a few more things about running a ice road. Helping with Hillmens highway is a treat for me and its sure is nice being part of the team. I had a couple brain farts? One that really sticks out was when I pulled a truck out of the southern berm and then gave the guy my new tow strap and told him to drop it off at hillmens store when he was done with it. I learned a lesson there and will never offer my strap to another fishermen un less they ask. Marty has helped me two years in a row now and still has not experienced the wrath the red lake can produce. She sure can be a eye opener as Randy can attest to when we tried to get off the lake in a white out. We made the right decision and went back to the houses where we hunkered down. Wayne was totally amazed at the wife Kellie" the Hammer " as she could come out to the houses day or night with all the confidence of a seasoned professional . My working vacation was just that as I went on the search for the mother load of the very elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. Randy and Tammy ended up getting 14 which was pretty darn good. All the houses managed to get a few here and there as I kept moving them . I never managed to land on the mother load like last year when the hammer and I got 27 in a hour and a half the last night old Minnesota was on the lake. Oh well there is always next year. This year I changed up gears and kept my mouth shut in preparation for my crappie hunt. The crew were all rolling in last Thursday and I did not want to be over whelmed with fishermen like last year. It could not of worked out better as the fishing was outstanding with over a hundred elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies caught and released to fight another year. Jake and Gabrial kept 4 for a meal. Ole kept 5 to take home. The hammer and I kept 7 total since the end of walleye season. Brady, Shawn, Wes, Joff kept a couple for a fish fry Saturday night. Florida, North Dakota and Montana all caught some elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies after dark which was great to see. Old Minnesota had Don and his buddy and even after moving it Saturday it still did not produce a elusive upper red lake crappie. Don did land a dandy pike on his rod and reel and that may of been the reason there were no elusive upper red lake crappies under the house. Adam / Ginger ended up with only 4 and is still looking for that wall hanger. Tim and his son Leon managed to get 11. The guys in the white ice castle got 6 after I talked to them and gave the suggestion to move. Randy fished the exact same holes he fished where they got the 14 and got skunked. It sounded like Buddy Hillmen found the mother load with some clients / friends and caught 70 while his other group got 45 Saturday into the evening. Yesterday morning I headed out to bring the fleet home. The timing could not of been any better and it is such a relief to have them home and on shore. I slept like a baby last night as all the worries associated with having the houses and fishermen out there were gone for another year. The liter I picked up last year has been nothing like this year. Thank you fishermen as the word has got out that it will not be tolerated. All the outfitters and resorts are on board and not afraid to make a phone call if need be. It may sound kinda of funny but I'm hoping I can spend a few more days out there in blue thunder policing the lake for liter. There is nothing worse then seeing that crap floating in the water and washing up on the beach. I huge thank you goes out to all my customers as with out you I would have nothing to write about . As Dave the old timer said it a GRAND LAKE AND It Owes Me NOTHING! NOTHING!
Ole ,Marty and I are headed off to low to do some pike fishing tomorrow. Wish us luck
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Good luck cookie. Go get a Biggin. We are hoping to come back next winter!
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HEY COOKIE...................... I just got a text from a friend who is currently up at LOTW's and thought i'd give you a heads up. she said 4 ATV's went thru sat on the rainy river, she is staying at Arensons resort and they shut down to truck traffic on the lake. only ATV and snowmobile traffic out for them. i'd call up and find out from whomever your going out of to be prepared. she said it rained up there all day sunday!!!!!!!!!!
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Hey Glenn,can't send youa PM,shoot me a pm,for some reason I can't send.
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did ya get it????
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yeah avery who might wanna venture up there. should reconsider. thers at least 7 trucks.that have went thu and a.few atvs and sled. let it go guys, its just a fish.
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yeah avery who might wanna venture up there. should reconsider. thers at least 7 trucks.that have went thu and a.few atvs and sled. let it go guys, its just a fish.
at least they didn't loose there keys!!!!!!!!!
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Hey Cookie how is the ice up there? Boar put pontoons on his castle to stay afloat??
Seriously just curious. Was a bout an hour south east of you Easter weekend and the small lake we were at had 12 inches of pretty good ice yet.
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This years opener was a eye opener as mother nature decided to unleash some strong winds out of the north north west with bone chilling temps . Getting on the lake was possible but it had to be miserable if you were out there. Frank and the crew did well in the river and landed enough fish to feed there group two big fish fries for the weekend. They have been coming for years and taking home fish is not a big goal but getting enough for there fish fry and fish boil is what its all about.
Wayne, Jonny boy my son and I did go out sunday as I wanted to send john home with 3 fish. It was not the best weather to fish but we managed to land a 15 fish in the couple hours we fished before we ran out of minnows. Our boat Imagine That needed a new battery this year as the original one finely gave out after 12 years of service. All the family are coming up memorial weekend. Other then that our cabins are wide open this year. I'm a little surprised as I expected we would have quite a few calls this year. jake was up last week Monday and part of Tuesday. We had to battle mother nature a bit but did manage to land 8 elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies. Jake did not keep any and I kept 3 for the hammer and I to have a fresh fish dinner.
On a side note getting on the lake with our 20 foot tyee is was manageable in the wind on sunday but I did bottom out twice and that always drives me crazy. I'm not sure why the markers are so close together as there not even a channel there. Coming in with the wind I ended up going on the right side of the markers with no problem. I would not go to the right of the markers going out though as I be leave there are some rocks scatter about to the north
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good to hear froam ya cookie, thope yer summer is a good one, thanks for the report!!
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I just looked at Cookies website. It would be fun to rent one of his cabins for a few days. Maybe a long weekend. I wonder if there is a dock by the cabins? Do you know Boar? Funny thing, when we moved up to Baudette almost 11 years ago we of course had to go through Washkish many times and we saw the Cookies sign. We for years thought it was someone who made and sold great cookies. lol I was imagining chocolate chip cookies in packages of a dozen or so. We almost stopped too. I thought it would be some sweet little ol lady selling them. :rotflmao:
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i guess i ccouldnt tell ya lps, give him a shout hed be glad to talk
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i guess i ccouldnt tell ya lps, give him a shout hed be glad to talk
yea LPS, he sure can talk!!!!!!!!!!!! and he puts up with boar most the winter so you shouldn't have a problem!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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You just earned yourself a + Smurfy...
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and a smite.....
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well its back to the grind for me as I head to baudett. Oak harbor golf course :coffee:. For your question I do have a dock across the street on the river. Imagine That takes up most of the dock but I have had other boats there that were able to improvise . You can not see the boat from the cabin but I have never had a problem Knock on wood. I do get a little anxiety when I go to check on it though as one time I went over to check the greek's boat and it was gone. It had broken loose and floated away. I found it down river past hillmens on the other side of the river :doah:
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I heard that the fishing was pretty good over the weekend.
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:happy1:
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Was back to the grind yesterday as I started at the golf course is baudett. Oak harbor golf course. The guys in the grey cabin got there nine fish Tuesday. Yesterday they only managed to catch 6 fish as mother nature roared in and chased them off the lake. They are going to fish a bit this morning before packing up. Bob and crew arrive friday for a the weekend. A lot of people thought it would be a lot busier around here with the Milacs deal but I think its been one of the slower years ? The access have been full on weekends but not overwhelmed? I'm not sure where all the boats come from on weekends for the day? Are they staying at other resorts in blackduck, grand rapids, thief river? They sure are not driving from the cities and driving back home the same day. As far as lodging here in waskish there not a ton of places to stay. Starting from the north you have beacon harbor, then big bog camp grounds, hillmens has camping. I have our two cabins and very limited camping, bear paw has some lodging and westwinds has the premier resort here in waskish. I do not think I'm forgetting any.
The hammer and I plan to check out a few crappie spots again this weekend as she loves catching them. I have not caught a pure black one yet but expect if we get any this weekend they will be.
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yesterday while mowing the ball fields here in waskish I came home for lunch and got a call from a good friend Chris. He was in blackduck and wanted to know if I would take it out fishing . I hoed and hummed about 10 seconds and said sure. Pick up some crappie minnows and meet me here at the house around 6 pm and we would go look for the elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. Arriving to the spot there were 3 boats working a half mile stretch. We pulled in started fishing and listening to some jonny cash. The first bobber down was a pesty walleye. Oh well he would be a good eater. A few walleyes later and Chris landed the one and only elusive crappie of the evening. With the water temp at 63 I expected we would do better? I guess why that's why they are so elusive. We did manage to get 6 very nice walleyes with two coming in just over 18 inches. I made a deal with Chris and he fillet the fish plus I had him cut out all the cheeks. Yum Yum Yum fresh fish for dinner tonight
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nice cookie, man I gota get over there.
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Well it was not to bad of a weekend. Bob, Dennis and Greg staying in the grey cabin arrived to late Friday evening to get out. While they were unpacking I noticed they brought there golf clubs. Greg said they planned on getting a round in, I dropped the ball and should of steered them up to Oak Harbor Golf course where I work. They ended up going to blackduck sunday afternoon when the winds blew them off the lake. I'm thinking they may of walk the course as one of them commented it seemed like it was all up hill. Any way back to fishing .They did come in Saturday late afternoon with there limit for a fish fry. I was hoping for some very calm weather to try for the elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie but the wind never layed down to my liking. I do have plenty of projects to keep me busy here though. Living in waskish you learn to fix quite a few things yourself. For instance the dryer needs a new hub bearing so that has been taking apart and a couple parts ordered. The bravado has a antifreeze leak on the intake manifold so I have that half apart with quite a bit more to go before I know what parts I need. The john deer lawn tractor broke its hydro drive belt I had to remove the deck and lift the thing off the ground to pull a pully to install the new belt plus I had to remove the carb and clean it. I finished making my drag and had to go over to Davids and torch a couple pieces of metal to length. I have some painting to do this summer /fall. I also have a couple trees that need to come down but I do not do chain saws so I'm trying to barter for that. So the last week I have been a small engine mechanic, a car mechanic, a appliance repairman, a carpenter/fabricator.
Any way back to fishing it sounds like the fish are starting to scatter a bit. I may get out later today as its looks like its going to be a gorgeous day here. The grey cabin is open for the weekend at this time and both cabins are open the rest of the summer
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thanks cookie, say what kinda presentation are people using, slip boobers, jigging, drifting harnesses? Fatherday weeken Ill be camping onyur shoreline, ya sold me with that beutifull sunset picture, beautifully peacefull. I'm there buddy.
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wow its been all most 20 days since I last posted a fishing report. I guess I will share one of the reasons my reports are far and few between? When we went to a 4 fish limit on the 14th it was a windy day so there was not much action at the public landing . However on the 15th it looked like opener. I was up mowing at the park/public landing and there were areas I could not mow as there were trailers parked on the grass. Again please do not be offended but where do they all come from? yes some stop and have breakfast or lunch at westwind, or buy bait in town. But most come for the day and never spend a penny in town. I realize that it is a fishing destination with no other activities golf, water park etc. I do not think I have ever seen a boat in tow stop at Sandys little antique store at the edge of town. Its never a bad idea to stop and buy a gift for the sweetie for letting you go fishing. I also realize that they are spending hard earned money to get here so there helping the economy somewhere. Sandys and north country sell locally grown wild rice. Hillmens ,westwind, north country all sell bait and tackle.
I had Ken and his two daughters here for a week from fathers day until the 24th . They have been coming for quite a few years staying in the grey cabin. Ken likes pulling crankbaits and they caught fish every day they went out. They brought the bicycles and went for a couple bikes rides. I never did see the girls go down to the lake and swim though. They had a couple fish fries and went home with there 12. Pat came up with Nate and Nate for a couple days Monday through Wednesday and stayed in the little green cabin. The wind was a factor in there fishing. I did take them out in my boat "Imagine That" after work on Tuesday. We headed into the wind to the north shore and were able to get out of the four foot rollers and do some trolling with spinners. Nate got to catch his first ever walleye which was nice. We only caught a few fish but did have some action. They headed out to the same area Wednesday and did much better as the wind had finally laid down. Marty and wayne were up on the 10th and 11th We all went fishing. I had to run the big motor with the wind conditions but we did real well trolling spinners. I had the hot hand and out fished both of them. I would guess we caught 50 fish for sure. We used up 3 generous scoops of minnows for the day. I had to stop in westwind harbor to get gas. When I was coming back on the lake I was just about to the last channel marker when a boat came from behind me full speed I never saw him coming ,He did not hit his horn that he was passing and man am I glad I did not turn left as I never saw him coming. Not sure why he was in such a hurry. Must of heard they were biting good? Who knows? Wild Bill was up also with his wife and daughter. They camped down at the lake for a couple days. They caught fish everyday drifting with leaches. Both cabins set open last weekend. I did go down to Rodgers Saturday and picked up a family Paul, Amanda, Br ady and Cody. they were friends of Joe Flak a old customer. They were camping there. He did not have room in his boat for everyone so I took then fishing. We drifted a area I like and had at least one bite or landed a fish every drift. I'm sure Joe marked that spot as he said it was not on his lakemaster chip? Oh well I better get off to work sounds like The golf course Oak harbor got quite a bit of rain Saturday. Both cabins are still wide open the rest of the summer.
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Hi Cookie. We went to Red last Wed and brought 3 kids. We got minnows at Westwind by the way. :-) We anchored in about 8' of water and caught 7 walleyes, 3 perch and 4 sheepies. We all had a great time. That is the first time I have fished Red in a boat. Really liked it. I would like to troll some cranks there sometime. So can a guy still catch some crappies there? That would be fun for a changeup. I would love to see one of those real big ones if they still exist.
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The best chance is during the winter ice fishing late ice, also spring. the best we did this spring was only 8.
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Here"s the deal stay two nights here and I can get you 2 free passes with cart to Oak Harbor golf course. The course is 52 miles away one way from the shores of upper red lake. I have not gotten out but I here there still biting pretty good
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Well she been a little quiet around here as of late. My buddy Wayne made it up for the weekend of the 15th. We did get out and do a little fishing but after all those days of wind the bite was a little tough for sure. We only managed to land 4 small walleye with the biggest just over 15. I was a little surprised as we hit a couple of my go to spots. I spose there's plenty of food for them to eat out there this time of year so maybe trying some leeches may be the ticket. Sunday Wayne was not feeling to well so we skipped the fishing. We did go check out a few blueberry patches, I ended up picking about two quarts. Wayne is possessed with those small wild strawberry and was on the hunt for those. We did stumble on to a juneberry tree that had so much fruit on it, it was bent over all most touching the ground. Tuesday I got out fishing by my self and with leeches managed to get 4 for dinner but it was tough. Friday Boar and his wife Laura camped down at the lake. Boar and I went out Saturday morning and again managed to keep 4. Jeff did loose 3 fish and I missed a couple bites so the fishing was quite a bit better. Sounds like Boar will be up again this weekend and we plan to wet a line. Were also going too do a little scouting as he may come up and do a little hunting this fall. Lee and Nick came up Sunday and the wind kept them off the lake. They had a very small boat, but they had a plan B and brought the golf clubs so they headed to Blackduck where the played 27 holes. Marty and Shelly showed up late Saturday as they were at a wedding in grand rapids. we all set down at the lake for the sunset and then set in Boar and Laura's Clam screen house when the skeeters came out. Wow is that thing nice and goes up easy peasy. Sunday we all set down at the lake and just chilled. Jeff and I went for a swim while Kellie and Laura got a little to much sun. Monday Nick and Lee got out fishing .Again the wind got the best of them and they showed up at Oak harbor golf course where I work to play another 18. I told them we could go fishing in my boat Tuesday morning so they just pulled there boat Monday evening and we went out early morning where again we managed to catch a few fish. Lee left me two jars of home made maple syrup .Thanks Leo.
This weekend is Hillmens 31rst annul Billy Hillmen softball tournament, with festivities starting Friday evening. There still looking for more teams. Saturday after softball they play a mean game of 4 man tackle football in the mud pit and its always a big turn out. August 6th Westwind is having a 32 team Kornhole tournament, You can check out there website for details.
Paul and his two boys are coming up fishing this weekend and Jeff, Wayne and I plan on wetting a line also
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It was such a beautiful morning today. I decided on the spur of the moment to wet a line. I never have my plan until I pass the last marker buoy. I decided to fish for some pike. I started with a bucktail. With nothing to show for I switched up to a jointed salmo, again nothing then I switched to one of my favorite lures and bam 3 fish in a row with in a few minutes of each other. Fun Fun Fun. One 37, One 38 and a 28. roughly. My tape measure was not in the boat so I had to use my 20 inch walleye board
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nice!!!!!!!!!!! so did you keep them to hook on boars line when he comes up this weekend?????????
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Nope protected slot all released to fight another day
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Nope protected slot all released to fight another day
LOL!!!!!! I new they were slots..........but I know how boar fishes and whines!!!!!!
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It was such a beautiful morning today. I decided on the spur of the moment to wet a line. I never have my plan until I pass the last marker buoy. I decided to fish for some pike. I started with a bucktail. With nothing to show for I switched up to a jointed salmo, again nothing then I switched to one of my favorite lures and bam 3 fish in a row with in a few minutes of each other. Fun Fun Fun. One 37, One 38 and a 28. roughly. My tape measure was not in the boat so I had to use my 20 inch walleye board
That sounds like a great way to start your morning!
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Well another weekend has came and gone and its back to the grind today. Our friends Wayne came up for a little fishing as well as our friend Boar. Paul, Nik and Nate were in the grey cabin for the weekend. They arrived Friday evening and the hammer checked them in while I was still at work. They got the boat launched and got out for a bit where they landed 2. Adam called out of the blue friday eve. and wanted to know if he could come up with Justin and pitch a tent down at the lake. They rolled in around 10 30pm. Wayne, Boar and I headed on the lake about 730 am as I wanted to troll for a big pike for a fishing contest I'm in. We made 1 1 mile pass with 3 lures out and nothing. The wind was blowing pretty good out of the south . Off we headed to one of my go to spots this time of year. We all decided a dollar for the first fish, a dollar for the biggest fish, and a dollar for the most fish. The first drift and it was fish on for Boar. A nice keeper walleye was in the live well. Wayne got snagged and broke his line. the second drift and again Wayne snagged his line again. The third drift and again wayne got snagged while I put a fish in the box. There were lots of yucks as we made drift after drift landing a fish here and there. We had our 3 over 17 in the live well and a couple under when wayne landed a nice fish well over 17. Because we had our three over wayne threw it back before measuring it. It was to funny as we agreed it was not measured and did not count as the biggest fish. Wayne got on fire and took the lead with most fish at 11. I ended up with 9 and Boar ended up with 7? I had took a pic of my biggest over 17 on the measuring board for the contest I'm in and through it in the box. When we pulled off the lake we had our twelve with boar winning first fish, wayne winning most fish. We decided that the biggest was a tie for wayne and boar at 18 1/4 inches. Later in the day Boar was looking at our pics and took a closer look at my fish for the contest and it turned out It was 18 3/8th. I won the biggest fish after all. Man did we have some good laughs. Paul ,Nik and Nate ended up with 10 fish and were happy. Justin and Adam/Ginger did not do well and only landed a couple smaller fish. We did a fish fry Saturday eve, and all ate like kings. Sunday boar had to hit the road so wayne and I headed out and placed the same bet. Wayne landed the first fish, the biggest fish and the most fish. I on the other hand could not buy a fish and at one point got snagged 4 times in a row and all 4 times broke off my gear. Wayne ended up with 9 fish and we kept 3 . I did have a fish all most to the boat when it got off and again we had some good yuks about that. As of now the cabins are wide open this up and coming weekend. Ted and his crew come up on the 11th and my sister and nephew are coming up on the 10th for a little r@r
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Yup cookie, it was an awesome weekend, I thank you guys so much for the fun and friendship we all shared. the fishing excursions was a blast, the trip thru the bog to the cabin was a ton of fun too andmy wheels are a turning, thank you for your time showing me that beautiful piece of land. You can bet I'll be up again this summer, things are oving fast here again, but I know we'll sneak a trip in. Thanks again!
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Well it was great to have family up this past weekend. My Sister Lavon, her friend Cindy, my nephew Larry jr. and my niece Karmon arrived Wednesday evening. We did get out for a bit Thursday but it was a tough bite with only landing 4 fish in a couple hours. My brother and his friend Shannon arrived thursday late afternoon. After dinner us guys went for a ride so I could go over the boat with warren as I had to work Friday and he could take the boat out. They ended up trolling spinners in 7 feet of water and kept 8 fish. Saturday was a bit windy but we trolled for big pike for a bit and landed one smaller pike. Saturday eve we attempted to get out . With the winds out of the west just over 10 mph it was a little rough out there and we gave up after a bit. The guys in the grey cabin only ended up with 7 fish for the weekend. So to sum it up the bite was a little tough. We did manage to have a great fish fry but know one went home sunday with fish.
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Fall is in the air that’s for sure. Fall fishing for me here on upper red lake has not been the great fishing you always here about. I guess I have to think about pulling the boat and getting here put away for the year. I have been bow hunting this year after skipping a couple years here and there. I was treated to a rare occasion as this weekend I had 3 of my best friends here. The greek came up for a couple days. He moved to Alaska a few years back and started a new business. If you ever want to go to Alaska near Homer give me a shout as he is a outstanding host. From here he is headed to Florida where him and his sweet pie spend the next 5 months living on a 30 boat he purchased last year. Bob and the greek were high school friends and I have known them both for 39 years. Bob will be up for deer hunting next weekend as we prepped our hunting spots this weekend. Wayne comes up just about every other weekend. I have known him since the mid 80s when I painted cars. He is one of the best fishermen I know. He’s not into hunting at all. I had two good nights hunting out of my new used ground blind that the greek gave me this weekend. There’s good sign where I’m hunting so time will tell as I try and stick one with my recurve bow. The reservation books are starting to fill up which is always a relief. Having return customers has always been my goal so looking forward of seeing some of them again this year.
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thanks for the report cookie. reat to have great freinds come and visit. I'll surley be making the treck this year, and bring along a little present for you, wish I coulda got it to ya soonner. wish for eary ice!!
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Just like that and we now have ice here on the shores of upper red lake. I've walked out on the lake Friday to look at some ice that had piled up in front of our place. It in real shallow there and I should be able to plow right through it. With the snow that drifted around it was not frozen underneath at all. There is also quite a bit of it in front of Hillmen's we will have to smash and move that asap as it will catch snow all year and just keep making a mess. Buddy has the road started and has been dragging it since Thursday. He all ready has it staked out quite a ways. I have not talked to him but I will assume wheelers will be aloud out this week. Adam was up yesterday with a few buddies and they only went home with 7 fish. I would guess there were 20 portables out there Saturday. Sounded like there were quite a few fishermen out of jrs. I stopped in westwind yesterday to check out the new bait shop. Wow its huge they sure know how to keep upgrading there resort. I guess that's what makes them the premier resort here on the shores of upper red lake. Chris the owner of Rodgers also keeps upgrading and have put in a restraunt. I'm pretty sure they will be frying your catch and will be looking forward to having them cook up my catch .
Two of our trucks blue thunder and the red baron are ready to go once we can drive on the lake. Of course there are a few bugs to work out. I started blue thunder and moved it a half dozen times this summer. Fired up every time. 5 below Thursday morning hit the key and click nothing. Bad/dirty connection I would assume. We rewired the plow lights yesterday and I cleaned up the battery connections so we will see if that was the problem..........
I'll be putting fresh propane's on all the houses this week and getting them ready to come out of the woods. We have some guys coming for the cabin Friday, Saturday. I also expect Jake to be coming up with in the next ten days . With the cold weather sticking around were looking real good here on the shores of upper red lake.
I also have tried to create another face book page so check it out. cookies on upper red lake. Maybe this time it will work
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good hearing from ya cookie!!!!!!!!!!
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Dang I love the Cookie reports :happy1:
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awsome coomie!! see ya soon!!!
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awsome coomie!! see ya soon!!!
I didn't know Cookie was Russian :scratch:
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:rotflmao: :rotflmao: :Clap:
Yippy skippy, that time of year for cookies reports. :happy1:
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thats coomie..... not komie. ya need to brush up onur Boaranise..lol
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Nice to be back guys and Gals? Not sure about Boar though?
I guess its the old adage careful want you wish for. We wanted cold and got -10 this morning. Mother nature reared her ugly side yesterday. The winds picked up out of the west and a few times it was white out conditions out there. From the looks of it winds out of the west and nw for the next 5 days at least. With the way the ice is building I expect I will be getting the houses on the lake with in the next 7 days. I guess I better put the golf clubs away. !0 below this morning and blue thunder clicked for just a sec and fired right up. The red baron also fired right up so those are good things for sure. I'll be spending the day putting propane on all the houses, Old Minnesota, North Dakota, Florida, Montana and North Carolina. Still have openings in Jan. and Feb. has plenty of weekend dates open. I think I'm ready for all the hard work and Fun, Fun, Fun, on such a grand lake. I Know Wayne can not wait to play some poker in old Minnesota while on the lake and The hammer not only fishes well but is a darn good poker player. I'm looking forward to seeing my repeat customers and meeting new ones.
I also want to run the generators again and fire up number one and two augers.
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Thanks Cookie! Looking forward to seeing you.
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what do ya mean, not sure about boar? yu can always bet on boar, buddy!!!!
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I was referring to some of your writing? Somtime I'm not sure what your saying lol
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lol, yeah i know. most times im on the forum thru my phone, and i could put on auto correct but that thing is more frustrating and time consuming than anything. so i try to use my fat thumbs the best i can.lol!
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Your not alone cookie ;D
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Hey Boar maybe take a typing class in your spare time ;D
Still trying to find my groove but had a pretty good day yesterday. I'm haunted with being a perfectionist so I fired up the heat in a florida and old Minnesota so I could give them another once over. Today I will do the same for the other 3 houses so there warm for tomorrows agenda. Man did the winds blow yesterday and accu weather is saying gust to 32 today. Zoiks is all I can say and happy the houses are still tuck in the woods at this time. 80 percent if not more of the snow on the lake is now on the shores of upper red lake. I expect there is some massive drifting around the stacked ice out there. sounds like a few fish are being caught but theres no way I would of wanted to be out there yesterday. Still trying to dial in our Cookie's on upper red lake page so if you have time check it out and feel free to leave a comment so I can see if its working Thanks everyone and have a great day
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Man Boar, you get it from all sides on every site, don't you.
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Cookie, you think the wheelhouses will go out with trucks in about another week? We're 23 below Saturday in Brainerd, hate to think how cold it is out on the ice with the wind howling. Did you get good black ice early enough to keep the snow from hurting anything? The snow is so light it almost moves out of your way walking thru it but coming across the lake I bet there's some pretty good drifts that might be scary underneath for a while
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yep My guess would be trucks with in 7 days if not sooner
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Man Boar, you get it from all sides on every site, don't you.
I should talk I flunked typing in school 3 times and never did pass LOL
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yeah, but i love it, gota wade thru life with spice!!
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I have not been out that far .Buddy Hillmen measured 7 to 8 inches under the snow covered areas and 10 to 11 on clear ice. The huge wind put most of the snow on the shore line but there are areas that are snow covered out there. I expect the outfiiters /guides will start hauling skid houses sunday or monday .
Still working on the new face book page. I guess its a work in progress.
Yesterday after the bug blow for 30 or more house I spent 2 hours helping Buddy Hillmen clean up his landing. A good work out for blue thunder and the red baron. Had a little panic type attack as I was finishing with the v plow/red baron. It felt like I was over revving it and the tranny was slipping? Zoiks. I jumped out but everything looked good other then 5oo pounds of snow was stuck on the plow . I got her on the highway and everything shifted and felt fine so it must of been all that snow.
I then spent the next couple hours doing some work in old Minnesota and running my new generator from last year hooked up to the extra 5 gallon berg system? After 4 hours she stopped running? ERR. It fired right back up and I loosened the cap on the generator. I left it running and when I went down there at 8 pm it again was not running. Err again. Today I’m going to loosen the cap on the berg and again run it all day and night. If it dies again I will try raising the tank above the generator. If that does not work I may take it to acme and throw it through there window? just kidding but frustrating to say the least.
Put a new 32 inch tv in old Minnesota so that’s a nice upgrade. With this cold weather coming tonight and tomorrow the plan is to heat all the houses and make sure everything performs before there on the lake for the season. Were counting down the days and if everything goes as planned they will be coming out of the woods and onto the lake starting Monday morning. Then the real fun will begins as I come and go off this grand lake for the next 100 days or so.
I have heard of a few better fishing report from 2 very reliable friends? The first time I drop a line in, I will be in the comfort of old Minnesota if everything goes as planned.
Last night Westwind the premier resort on the shore of upper red lake had there customer appreciation. It was nice wishing a lot of locals merry Christmas and the drinks and appetizers were awesome. I have a couple friends and fishermen coming up to day brave the elements and do a little scouting for me to boot.
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WeirdWow where to begin. Cold, Cold, Cold! Mother nature reared her head and cost me a little Christmas/ start up money as most of my fishermen and friends bailed at the last minute. I can't blame them ther'e no way I would be out there 28 below with out transportation and a warm cozyhouse. Looking back though the greek and I suffered the wrath of mother nature a few times over our hunting and fishing when we were younger. Getting older either your wiser or its just to much work. I did have 3 guys show up. Gus, Joe and Dan stayed down at the lake. Younger guys and very nice. They have a buddie that has a hard house out of jrs and since it was not out they did the portable thing. Friday they did not fair well but Joe said they had a Blast and found some fish saturday eve. when it was 20 below to boot. Dan and his group were going to stay on the river lot so I got that all plowed and then they canceled. I think they were able to get there ice castle towed out on the lake. Just as I expected the fishing reports were much better, but that should be expected when there's well over 2000 fishermen on the lake. I did hook up with ty tish and did a short video with him. If I was computer savvy I could put a link on here. T TISH Outdoors on facebook. Great guy and I get a kick out of his reports. I gave the generators a good work out and got them dialed in a both ran the houses all weekend with a load on them in the elements with no issue. I had to go back to what worked last year a blanket tucked around them, exhaust down wind and The burg system thrown in the shed for now. I went out side at 2:30 am when it was 28 below and fired up blue thunder. I left it running until 730am. The red baron must have 2 weak batteries as she did not start. I guess it should be a he since its the red baron. I put the trickle charger on it and di d not try and start it until late in the afternoon yesterday when he fired right up. So I put 2 batteries are on the Bemidji list.
The good news is all our deluxe houses are full for the weekends of januray . Our 2 man North Carolina is not rented much but will becoming out of the woods today and be the first one on the lake 3 years in a row. Then it will be florida, montana, north Dakota and following up the rear our heaviest house old Minnesota. I'm going to have to pace my self the next few days as my mentor cousin Pete taught me do not be in a hurry, be patient. My back is also bothering me and I'm looking for a helper for the season. They will be fishing a lot in the evening and morning as they have to float around in the houses through out the winter. They do get weekends off though. If any one knows a young buck that would like that give me a call and we can talk. Some of the duties. Driving the red baron ,auguring, holes, cleaning and vacuuming houses. moving the houses etc. knowing how to operate a shovel is huge lol. That's about it other then still farting around with the new facebook page. Cookie's on Upper Red Lake I also will be talking to Buddy Hillmen later today. I expect 3/4 tons out by this Wednesday or Thursday but we will see what he has to say. I know he has rentals out and may have some houses still open the weekdays after christmas
that's twice where I have made a long post and when I come back its not on here. Oh well heres the reports from the weekend.
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thanks cookie, be seeing after the holidays, regularly. if i lived alot.close id give ya a hand. you know when im ther if ya need a hand to let me know.
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This was sent to me, Red Lake
Be careful out there!
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Ya that is the pic. It looks like the tire on the other side must be about on the open water. What a dilemma... It is kind of fun to hear the cracks when in the fish house even though sometimes it can get a little scary. I bet that crack scared the heck out of them.....
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Ya that is the pic. It looks like the tire on the other side must be about on the open water. What a dilemma... It is kind of fun to hear the cracks when in the fish house even though sometimes it can get a little scary. I bet that crack scared the heck out of them.....
Or something a little stinkier..... :bonk: :bonk: :bonk:
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Been on the ice when that kinda crack opened up.. its usually silent BTW. The cracking you hear is usually only when the ice is Growing!
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Busy Busy Busy! It took two days but all the houses are now on the lake. The few mishaps were to be expected but I guess it is like riding a bike. Dropped the front wheel of the red baron into the ice in 6 inches of water. The thing about it was I all ready had my route. But I wanted to see if it froze where I had cleared some of the snow that had drifted there? Had to have the hammer come down with Blue thunder and drive while I pulled her /him out. After I got Florida out there and checked one lite bulb had vibrated loose and was shattered on the carpet. North Dakota could of maybe came out a little easier but it was sitting in a small depression. Blue thunder never revved over 3500 rpm so no big deal there, Some times you have to give its a little power.
I had a taker on looking for a helper. He is showed up yesterday morning. I Real nice Kid. His name is Jim but he might end up with a nick name if he stays around to long. I put him on probation and told him we would be in training all day. Things went well and we came off the lake just at sunset..” A Tid Bit” He pounded on the fish the night before.
I did have a cancelation for one of our houses. Jan 6th ,7th for old Minnesota 2 double beds.
Today we have Cody and his buddies fishing in north Dakota for 2 nights and Jess and his crew in florida. A good friend Pat may also show up to do a little fishing and give me a helping hand if need be. Nice to have good friends. I will be pre fishing old Minnesota. Its something I do not do to often but Wayne is coming and he does not care. I don’t like fishing In a house before the customers arrive. Some time it does happen but I go out of my way to not let it happen. Funny
I’ll be touching base with Buddy Hillmen and get the scoop on vehicle traffic this morning. Gotta go its time to auger 9 holes and do a final prep before the guys arrive. Itching to get out there on a grand day on a “Grand lake that owes me nothing”
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I was told JR's was the only place allowing trucks and houses out Cookie, is that right or you allowing it?
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I go Out of Hillmens Resort. Buddy Hillmen make all those decisions. I just help with the road. He is allowing 1/2 ton with wheel houses as I know of at this time 10 am, Dec 22nd
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Well sorry that its been a couple days since I have been able to blog. Still spending to much time when I get on facebook. Getting distracted I guess, plus trying to dial it in. It says I'm not getting any hits on our web page Cookiesonupperredlake.com so trying to figure that out. Plus allot of plusses here .
Every thing went pretty smooth Wednesday as I prepped for Jess and his buddie, They just stayed in florida one night. Not so good though as they only landed two fish. They did cook them up so at least they got to have a fresh fish dinner. Cody and his crew arrived right on time and I escorted them out to north Dakota .After getting them taken care of is was off to old Minnesota to prep for the hammer as we were going fishing. As I was coming off the lake just at sunset I drove through a slush pocket on hillmen"s highway. I turned around to check it out and drove through another one off the road? Very weird as there was no snow drift, or rough ice? I decided to clean the slush off the road and that turned into a can of worms as the snow slush was so wet it just turned into a big rolling ball of wet snow .I spent 20 minutes cleaning it up so it would freeze down . It work perfect as it was froze down the next morning. The ice had a brownish look to it?
The hammer and I had a great first night fishing and having dinner in old Minnesota. Just as I set down to eat the rattle wheel went off. I'm now one up on her as I did land the only fish of the evening. We called her quits and I checked on the guys as we headed in. Both houses were slow but every body was comfortable. I never heard from pat so I assumed he was a no show. When we pulled in he was sitting in the driveway napping. He had called the house but did not know it was not my cell. He had a rear wheel come off on the way up and he said it went sailing / rolling off the road through the ditch across a frozen field and stopped in the woods in a bunch of thick brush. I got him out to motana and got back home well after 11 when I planned on being in bed by 10.
Jess and Zax headed home early, they said they enjoyed the house and may try and make it back again . North Dakota was also slow so I told them we would be moving the house at 1. Pat had better fishing and landed 4 or 5 with a 34 inch pike around 10 am on a rattle wheel. He said last night that made the trip. He also helped me move north Dakota for a nice discount which was great as it goes soo much quicker with help. I guess I'm out of practice a bit though as when I came out of the hole I lost my momentum and spun the tires. When hat happens it digs a hole in the ice and your done. After unhooking and moving over a foot we were off again. Stopping in last night and they were up to 6 so the move paid off. Another busy day today as Wayne will be up to hold down the fort in old minnesota while the hammer and I go down to the cities to see the kids for Christmas. I also took a few minutes to go see my old customer / friend Kirk. He jumped ship years ago and got hooked up with steve and tyler from bear paw. I always go track him down when he is here to say hi and shake his hand I always know when he is here because he reports on lake state fishings forum. He loves upper red lake and plans on spending a lot more time here when he retires in 16 months on such a grand lake. Its a busy day again here as I need to get a better lay of the lake as if we get this snow they are predicting all the rough ice will be hiding out there. Buddy Hillmen is allowing 3/4 trucks but no diesels. Please drive slow on the lake and do not go beyond the orange cones, there there for a reason Every one have a MERRY CHRISTMAS and do a no snow dance for upper red lake
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thanks Cookie!!
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Drive safely Cookie, I'm heading there Sunday AM too. Looks like pretty much sleet and ice from Brainerd to just North of the metro where it turns into a thunderstorm.
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Very quick report today as we will be gone for Christmas for 1 day. If you coming up tomorrow Christmas day you should try and check with the resort your going out of as the hub bub is some may be closing there roads if it get to bad. One of the worst thing for the roads is when traffic drive on them when the snow and wind are blowing. Every track made fills in with snow. Then the next track same thing. Every little disturbance of solid obstacle makes a drift. Then that’s gets disturb and it all keeps snow balling/ Please call before you make the drive. I have done no snow dance 1/2 dozen times. Hillmens store number is 218 647 8504 Every one have a Merry Christmas
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Thanks for the heads up!!! Have a Merry Christmas Cookie!!
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Well it been a few crazy days. We had a great time down for Christmas but coming home sunday was a little longer trip due to the roads and weather. Our good friend Wayne held down the fort out on the lake in old minnesota doing a few chores for me and meeting some customers that were going to arrive sunday afternoon. They had to cancel as Buddy Hillmen closed his ice road do the the impending weather. My no snow dance must of worked as we did not get anywhere close to the snow they predicted , but wow with the wind. Having all the houses pretty much ready to go worked out well other then the snow drifts had to be broken up and moved. I had augured 4 holes in montana for rick and heather. There was quite a bit of snow around it with the typical flooding I felt. About the third pass with the red baron and I thought I saw a hole in the ice .Sure as sh a crack had went by the house and water was bubbling out of it due to all the snow drifted in front of it. Once I got the blunt of the snow moved away she quit bubbling.. Glen and Joe would be spending one night in there. I then wanted to put old Minnesota on fresh ice for Wayne's last night as he had been fishing in the same spot since Friday evening. That went well and we had it moved a ready to fish in no time. He had averaged about 5 fish a day. So not so good. The wind just kept getting worse through out the day creating white out conditions off and on. I had my helper Jimbo meet me to help move north Dakota as Tammy and Scott has spent friday night in there with little action. Scott was new to ice fishing and was his first time while Tammy had a little bit of experience. The hammer and I then met wayne out in old Minnesota for some surf and turf and a little card playing. 530 on the dot and I landed a very nice walleye on the green genze worm tipped with a minnow. While I was landing that on the rattle wheel the hammer landed a 21 incher. Just a tad bigger then the 20 incher I landed. We missed a couple more fish and then they just shut down. With over 20 holes to auger tuesday morning we called it a night around 9pm. Arriving out to montana Tuesday morning and Glen and Joe had tremendous fishing and Glen said the rattle wheels were just nuts. Mean while 150 feet away Wayne had 3 or 4 bites but was able to get his 3 to take home. After auguring all the holes it was time to start helping build Buddy Hillmens highway. We had 1.5 miles of road to clear off. There is a crack at 1.5 that crossed the road and buddy decided to cone it off for now and maybe it would heal up with out having to put a bridge out. By 2 pm I had all our customers checked in for the day and spent the rest of daylight cleaning up all the snow that had blown in front of the access. I did have my first casualty with the red baron and lost all of the exhaust from the y pipe back. She louds now but that 454 can let out some of them spent gasses a little better.
I had pool league Tuesday night so everyone was on there own. Yesterday morning making the rounds and Montana has landed 10 , North Dakota had 6 and they lost one while I was checking in on them. Old minnesota only had 2, while Ken and the girls in florida never landed a walleye. I'm hoping they did much better last night so we will see. Today we will be saying good bye to Frank and his crew Shwagg ,Breck, Gordy, Bradly and Danny and ken and the girls while Pat, Ryan and the two boys are here one more night. Big plans today as I attempt to put 3 of the 4 house on fresh ice before every one arrives. Jake and his crew in the cabin found some fish in there portables but did not pound on them. Still falling behind on my fishing reports but hopefully I have it dialed in now? Still spending to much time on the facebook page Cookie's on Upper Red Lake. I posted a pic from last night and all I could say was wozer. Check it out and feel free to leave a comment as I keep farting around with that page. And as Dave the old timer said to me "ITS A GRAND LAKE AND IT OWES ME NOTHING, NOTHiNG"
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Nice report Cookie.
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Thanks Fawkinnae I need two extra large shirts or one hoodie and one shirt plus new cards can you hook me up?
Yesterday went pretty well considering?
Got a call at 7am Gordie's keys got locked in his truck so I was off and running for the day. Putting out fires per say comes with the job. After getting into the truck we said our good byes as they hit the road. I would guess the two house old Minnesota and Montana got 20 fish. We did play a game of texas hold um Wednesday at prime time 5 pm. Out of 6 players I made it to third. Darn the luck. Ken and the girls did not fair very well in florida. Ken will be back up in a couple weeks to give it that old collage try. Pat, Ryan and the boys are here one more night in North Dakota. There new favorite house. And they loved Old Minnesota. They have went to westwind the premier resort for fish fry's two days in a row. Why does it always taste better when someone else makes it? I met my helper Jimbo back onshore for more training and off we went to clean, move , and set up 3 of the 5 of our fleet. With the winds howling out of the nw. Jimbo is picking it up nicely , In another week we will be working on the same page like a well oiled machine. Mother nature was being cruel out there all day. Trying to cut any trail was fruitless as it basically drifts as fast as you plow. Every wheel house, truck, and skid house now have 4 foot drifts around them. Should make it real interesting when they all start pulling out the next few days. There also will be a lot of flooding in all those spots I imagine As our grandma Olga would say in that Swedish accent and what we named our boat "EWWW IMAGINE THAT" After getting old Minnesota and Montana set up I had to find my way to shore and meet Rick, Mike and Matt. They have also been coming for years and always request old Minnesota. I did not mention north Dakota as I expect they to will jump ship just like Pat, if they spend the night in there. My good friend Jake built one hell of a house. Hindsight it could of been even bigger as the runners stick out on both ends and make it tough to plow the snow away from the house. On the way back out I also met Pang as they were out there in portables. Pang brought a rookie all the way from Germany and I will have to work on his name. I then got a hold of Mathai? and his family as they were going into Florida and I explained that I would not be able to move it due to the conditions. That was fine with them so back to shore I went to escort them out to Florida. Taking them to Florida in a blizzard /white out. Once I got them taken care of I was heading home for a little break as it was one heck of a day and to think I'm going to do it all over again today? Glad I love the work or I would be in big trouble. Just a few more things. Totally sick of accu weather so if any one has a better weather site chime in. We have a big blow coming at noon today with 3 to 6 inches of snow and the temps plummeting into next week . Batten down the hatches here we go. I knew coming into this winter she/mother nature was going to rear her ugly side this year. I just did the no snow, snow dance so will see if that works. Its going to be a absolute mess out there after new years. Making the rounds last night and all 4 houses had at least a couple fish so will see how they did over night. Another big day, not sure if my helper Jimbo can help me today. I would like to move north Dakota, Florida and north Carolina. Might be a little tough on my own but we will give it a shot because that's what I do on as the old timer Dave told me" ITS A GRAND LAKE AND IT OWES ME NOTHING,NOTHING" Wow I forgot to mention The elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie.
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Cookie, I use weather.com all the time. Not sure if they have a app for mobile though, as I use the desktop. It's The Weather Channel's website & seems pretty accurate, most of the time, to me.
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ill give it a look see thanks
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They do have an app for the weather channel, I have it on my phone. Seems to be more accurate than most weathermen.
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Wow ! Just crazy,
This is going to be another long post. Pang, Terry and Pasel were in florida they had a interesting trip. The co stopped and pang had cleaned 2 of there 4 fish for lunch. The law says the only fish you can clean you must be in the process of cooking. he was nice enough to give him a warning but did confiscate his fillets and made him keep the carcasses as part of there limit. The highlight was 530pm that night when Terry landed a very chunky elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. My helper Jimbo could not help me friday so I recruited kellie the hammer to help me. She cleaned the houses while I attempted to move 3 houses in one day. North Dakota went pretty smooth, North Carolina was a quick move is it was just sitting out there on the lake. The hammer cleaned florida while I was moving north Dakota, when I arrived at north Dakotas new spot and unhooked the house I walked around the door side and the door had swung open. I closed the door and continued blocking and banking it as Jake and Justin would be arriving for one night. I then fire up the augur and the door will not open? Locked? about that time they call as they have arrived. I explained the situation and came to shore to get key for door. We get bac k out there and the door will not unlock? Wow We boosted Justin through the window and had him remove the door handle where I took the ice chisel and busted out the innards . I got the holes augured out and headed over to block and bank north carolina and Mark and collete called they were at hillmens waiting for north Carolina. I banged out the prep work and again back to shore to escort them out. By then I was spent and florida would have to wait . making the rounds later that night and Justin and jake had 2, Rick, Mike and Matt had decent fishing and ate fish for the second night in a row. Mark and Collet also had a couple in the bucket.
Saturday morning Jimbo was able to come over and help me move florida before Ben and his family arrived. Ben proposed to Shawna years ago in old Minnesota and now they have 2 kids Willa and Louie. We also punched out the holes in montana and north dakota. Then just like that and all customers started rolling in. Cory and his family arrived for north Dakota. Tim and Amanda for montana and lee and larry for north Carolina. making the rounds later that night and lee and larry had left with there 6, Minnesota had some action. florida was slow as well as north Dakota. Tim and amada looked like they were sleeping as the lights were off . Wow sunday I spent the day checking on everyone. I made a quick ice rink for Louie ,visited with everyone and plowed on buddy hillmens road prepping for the next snow storm? I did the no snow dance again as it has worked twice ..I sure do not expect it to work a third time? Crazy last night was quiet at all the houses when I checked in with Tim and Amanda. No sooner then I left and Tim landed a 25 inch walleye. The families all had the lights low so I did not bother them. They sure enjoyed the lake out there yesterday with Cory and the kids chasing flags, Ben and his family skating and also tending flags and just running around outside. Quite the site as the weather was just beautiful. Wayne, the hammer and I did dinner in old Minnesota where we landed two fish, played cards and had a fabulous dinner, beef kabobs and shrimp.
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Nice report Cookie! :fishing:
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Mother nature is kicking my butttt. Plan A turns in to plan B, Plan B turns into Plan 3 and from there its abort abort. Trying to find a groove to get in my morning updates has been a struggle for sure. The fishing over the new years weekend could of been better. I would say counting all the kids 33 fishermen 61 fish or so. Cory Abby and the kids did not fair that well but there friends right behind them got 12 and the group of wheel houses just behind them did fairly good. Missed it by 100 yards . Monday morning and we were up to 8 inches of powdery snow and Hillmens highway was pretty much gone. I would say it looked like the moon out there. With the wind howling everything on the lake was drifted in. The big plans were to get all the houses moved. Wayne was staying in old Minnesota until Wednesday . He was fine staying where the house was after Rick and his brothers Mike and Matt left sunday. Each day got worse , it never seems to get better. He went home with his three but there was not much action. Dan, Rich and Tony? checked into montana and nded up getting 5 the first night. Dan in north Carolina did about the same but did land a pike on the rattle wheel. He did get some line burns on his hands as he decided to put fire line on one of the rattle wheels. We did get north Dakota moved but the snowy condition got so bad with white outs that we had to throw in the towel. Tuesday and again all the plans went out the window. Buddy Hillmen's road needed to be cleared so we basically plowed most of the day. The wind was again howling with snow drifting as fast as you moved it, very frustrating as you can not beat mother nature. The side road I had plowed was gone. I spent close to 3 hours cleaning all the snow that had accumulated at the end of hillmens highway road. Dan and Megan also showed up for one day so I had to check them in. They spent 1 night and got 3. Dan had a side by side with tracks and they went all the way to center bar where they got skunked. Yesterday I cut a new trail to the houses said goodbye to the guys, We moved florida and prepped as Bob and his crew would be arriving around dusk. Buddy hillmen decided to cross the crack at the cones and open the road out to the next pressure ridge, I also checked Tom and his crew into north Dakota for a day of fishing. Monday we took the hammers trail blazer in for tires and the ac pumped locked up when I arrived at the tire shop so when the tires were done I had to have a flat bed come pick it up and take it too a repair shop brand new tires and we had to tow it. I got the summer beater going . I come back off the lake last night and hit the key and nothing Starter? plus while we were clearing buddy's highway the red baron quit and we towed it to shore where the mechanic Tom is going to track down the problem today. We think its a broken ignition wire. So our daily driver is our lake truck blue thunder. Zoiks!!! is all I can say. Just another day as the old timer up here said to me years ago "ITS A GRAND LAKE AND IT OWES ME NOTHING NOTHING"
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So here we go another weekend has arrived. The good news is the red baron is up and running again. It was icu or ecu in the distributer cap. I have a hard time throwing things away up here and sure as shi I had one in my collection of parts. The red baron with its big v-plow and 454 is my all around work truck, Blue thunder is our plowand house moving machine.
Tom and his 3 buddies fished north Dakota for the day on Wednesday and did all right ,plus they landed two pike over 30 on there rod and reels. Yesterday I put in a long tough day as again mother nature said here take this 11 below zero all day,the wind would of been a asssss kicker but it was lite and variable just like the new weather site I’m now using predicted they were spot on.
I had Bob and his crew in florida for the night and they ended up with 6, Craig and his buddies arrived to fish in north Dakota for the day as they were with Bob and his crew in Florida. I had to bump Bob and his crew in to Old Minnesota for the day as Florida was rented to Ron and his cousin’s Tony and Eric from new jersey of all places “That brings nightmares of my army training at fort dix new jersey” They did not roll in tell after 9 pm last night so I basically spent 12 straight hours on the lake other then coming home to switch trucks and have dinner. yesterday I moved, prepped and augured holes in north Carolina as Ron and his cousins will also be using that house. I then got montana moved and prepped. I will punch out the holes later today for Tanner and his crew that also have north Dakota and the cabin for the weekend. 5 wheel house in snuck behind me and set up so I hope any fish are not coming from thataway. they all drove right over my extension cords across the road? Oh well what can you do there all potential customers in my book. I make some crazy roads around my house with the red baron and its way easy to get confused. I’m not a road engineer I tell the honey bunny “the hammer” when she asks. I do have a reason why I plow this way, plus its fun turning into the big berms with the v-plow grin I have no clue when Tanner and his crew will be arriving and I need to get north Dakota moved closer to montana. I also have to move old Minnesota before dark as hunter and his crew arrive some time after 8 pm tonight. My helper Jimbo had other commitments yesterday and today so I’m on my own again. Not looking forward to punching 22 holes today plus a few extra for Ron and his cousins tip ups. My poor back is worn out as I have dealt with back pain for over 30 years. Speaking of 30 years the hammer and I have been married 39 years today. Not sure how she has put up with all my shenanigan’s but she knew how I felt about divorcing when we married . She was only 15 and I was a day older then 17. I never forget the day we met she was coming up the stairs where they lived and I was going down the stairs with her brother. We got down in the basement and I said to Dan “who is that” She got up stairs and said oh my gosh did you see that long haired guy Danny brought home. To funny. It was love at first site for me as I ask Dan, is that your older sister? He said nope my younger sister. Time to get to work. 27 below and I have one very busy day on as The old timer Dave said ITS A GRAND LAKE! A GRAND LAKE! AND IT OWES ME NOTHING! NOTHING! I will always be bummed that when I took that blind man fishing we never got a bite nd he jigged for 3 hours never sitting his rod down.
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Nice report cookie, and Happy Anniversary!!!!! :toast: :toast: :toast: :toast:
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Be careful out there Cookie!
https://youtu.be/HKuG5NDYbOA
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Another weeks has arrived and some how I survived. I headed out just after sunrise to check on Ron and his cousins Ted and Eric "THE JERSEY BOYS" They had 5 in the bucket and Eric had landed a 40 inch pike in the middle of the night. Ron also said the heater in North Carolina quit. I knew right away the propane had liquefied due to the cold so I boiled up some water to poor on it to get the pressure back. Well I learned a valuable lesson and got lucky. As I was walking over to the tank the water sloshed out right on my hand. I had a cloth glove on and could not get it off quick enough. It got the inside of my hand pretty good and stung the rest of the day but never blistered Note always where a leather glove when walking with a pot of boiling water. I got the heat going then did some prep work with the red baron and headed home to get blue thunder. I headed back out, the first thing to do was grab Tony's old house California and get that set up. As soon as I took off in tow old blue thunder all of a sudden had a clunk. OH OH this did not sound good. I was committed to have it set up so I slowly continued while getting a hold of my mechanic Tom to get out here and see what kind of a problem I had. I was able to get California set up and then head over to north Dakota and start digging it out. Luckily I had broken up some of the banking with the red baron when I was on the lake earlier that morning as when tom arrived it was not good news. The front drive shot was on the verge of falling out as all three u joints are shot. being pressed for time I decided I would give it one shot pulling north Dakota out of its perch with only 2 wheel drive. 1 attempt was made and it was not happing I got her moving but after moving less then a foot she spun the tires and it was done moving. Looking back The one mistake I made is I was dealing with a phone call at the same time and should of had all my attention on the initial pull . Seems I'm always learning from my own mistakes. Now just like all most every day plan A had been changed to plan B. Back home a third time, transfer all the gear back into the red baron as she now was going to do blue thunders work. Once I arrived back out there and again the phone rings Tanner and his crew of 12 were here. They were willing to help so I gave them directions to come on out and I continued. using the v-plow to bank a house is tough and quite a bit of shoveling had to be done to bank the houses.. The guys arrived and were like what can we do. perfect augur the holes. Ten minutes later and they came over there augur would not start and would need mine. We got the hole augured and them checked in and I was off to move old Minnesota. I was running out of time, but luck was on my side as Hunter and his crew were not arriving un tell 8 pm. A lot of hand digging was in order as the v-plow can not move the snow away from the houses. The move went pretty well other then the time and labor it takes to hand bank a house. just as I buttoned it up and Ring were here. Wow what a day.12 straight hours of humping and all the customers were checked in.
Saturday morning making the rounds and darn with all the houses on fresh ice the fishing was not that good, Florida had a few more fish, old Minnesota had one fish , montana none and north Dakota one. A few fish were missed and lost but pretty darn slow. I made a few phone calls and from what I gathered it was pretty slow all over the lake. Stupid fish . Chuck and his wife in there wheel house had got 3. a couple outfitters also had poor fishing. Goose was down south and had tremendous fishing Thursday but it had slowed way down. Tanner and his crew were playing dice every time I checked in while the guys in montana had borrowed my augur to run and gun. They did find a few perch and another of the very elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. A nice 14 1/2 incher. Tanner invited me out to watch the oakland game. I arrived just after kick off and again they were all playing dice . 20 minutes later and bang a fish was missed while another was caught. Then bang another fish caught another missed. Just like that the dice were thrown in the corner and every one was fishing. That was nice to see. I headed home for dinner. Making the rounds later and florida was up to 14 fish caught they would be leaving early sunday morning. I hung out and visited with Ted,Eric and Ron where not a fish bit while I was there. Stupid fish. I called it a night after a quick stop to old Minnesota with hunter and his group. They only had 3 in the bucket. I told them I would plan on moving them the next morning as they were here for 3 nights. Sunday morning and Tanner and his crew of 12 were packing up, they all took off Saturday evening to hit the casino, so there was no fishing in montana or north Dakota from 8 pm un tell they arrived back a some time in the middle of the night. We said our good buys and I headed over to old Minnesota where I bumped the guys into north Dakota for there last night. I then headed to shore where I helped Buddy Hillmen get all the bridge out of the woods as if were going to go further west there will be a couple cracks and pressure ridges to cross. Jimbo met me at the house around 2pm where we went out and prepped houses and moved montana before it got dark. Last night Hunter and his crew had caught a 32 inch pike rite after I had left earlier plus they had another walleye in the bucket.. The hammer and here friend Nancy arrived in old Minnesota where Nancy lost a big fish. They also landed 1 keeper walleye. The hammer was marking fish but they refused to bite. Stupid fish. We called it a night and headed home. Chuck and his wife did manage to get there 6 in there wheel house, Kim and Tim had got 5 in there wheel house and I headed home tired and worn out. All in all it was a grind on a Grand Lake that as the old timer Dave told me ITS A GRAND LAKE AND IT OWES ME NOTHING !NOTHING!!!!
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wow yesterday was a grind? We attempted to plow a road around the pressure ridge at 3 miles. 3 v plows running full tilt from 11 am to 11pm. The red baron went through her paces and I sweated that I would not burn up the tranny. Trying to push all the snow to the south east. As we piled up the snow it got to the point where we had to blast through it to make areas for the snow to go. I jerked both Buddy hillmen and Kelly the mechanic out of snow piles a couple times. Around 4pm I checked the houses as I came in for gas. I also had Jimbo try and retrieve the front driveshaft off of blue thunder 1. 3 bolts on the rear would not come loose so we oiled them down and will attempt today or tomorrow. Jimbo has other engagements so I'm on my own as I move North Dakota on to a new spot for John v and his crew. I'll be doing the no snow, snow dance when I step out the door but it worked twice at the beginning of the year and I may of used them up. Those were two big snows we did not need on the early ice so it worked out. Hunter and his crew did horrible in old Minnesota so I bumped them into north Dakota the last day. They did land a 32 inch pike but plowing all day yesterday not sure if they got any more walleyes. The hammer and her friend nancy fished for a couple hours sunday eve, in old Minnesota The hammer got a keeper and nancy had a big fish on when they first set up Plenty to do today and were hoping the hammers truck is done as we have no car to leave town. also any one out there want to drive a1990 chevy truck here from Colorado? We could barter for fishing if need be. So as The old Timer Dave told me "ITS A GRAND LAKE AND IT OWES ME NOTHING!!!! as I walk out the door to hit the ice
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man oh man where does the days go. Tuesday morning I had my plan of attack. I would head out in the red baron to move and prep north Dakota for John and his crew Tony, Bernie and Ron. Due to the high wind' s and snow Monday I figured a extra hour for moving the house by my self as jimbo my helper had other engagements. Looking out the window here at home it looked like a nice day. When I hit the lake I was greeted with high winds and white out conditions. My side road going northwest off the main road should be fine I thought. To my surprise she was blown in pretty good. As I worked my way up it I stopped every 30 yards to place a marker out so I could see the road coming back. Digging out north dakota went well. I drove over to the new area to break a trail and that's where it got interesting to say the least. It was blowing so hard I made a circle came back over to north Dakota made a second round and you could hardly see where I passed through as it was basically filling in as fast as I plowed it. The worse thing you can do is put a berm on both sides and that exactly what the red baron does. Coming around the third time and I had to get out and mark where I wanted the house with blocks to even see. A few more psses and I had the spot cleared but she was filling in fast. Never planned on spending a hour just clearing a spot. Mother nature was at it again. Things just got crazier as I plugged along. I get the house all blocked and banked on the side and decide I will go get blue thunder to bank the ends, Here's where I made another mistake because here at cookies as my good buddy Wayne says. "We do it right cause we do it twice" Man do we laugh. I head down the road picking up a little speed as the plan is to make 3 quick passes and clear out the road. As I get towards the end I slow down to get my bearings and come across buddy's road. Its white out conditions and the main road is gone? As I creep along looking for a marker the red baron comes to a stop? I plow right across the road and drove the red baron right in to the berm where there's 2 feet of water and slush under the berm. I'm now stuck. I grab my phone and its dead. I do a little digging but there is no way its coming out with out a pull. Mean while the pass I made down the secondary road is filling in errrrr! I decide to just stay put hoping some one will come by,10 minutes or so and here comes a diesel. A quick pull and I head back to north Dakota to hand bank it,The road is completely full of snow. I grab the generator and it will not start errrr. I head back to shore to get tit running and john and his crew arrive, I take care of the generator get back out there with them. Go to auger the holes and the brand new blades are dull as I had borrowed it to the guys last weekend when there would not run errrr! just crazy. I then get a call from Jimbo and he is buried as he drove into a drift. I head over to him as the winds are finally dying down and the sun is setting. We get him out and he has a flat tire? I tow him to shore and come home toget the jack and a breaker bar to help him out. wow what a day.
Yesterday I take the hammer to work and the red baron is running like crapola. The rear tire is flat. I air up the tire and let the red baron warm up and it starts to run a little better. I go out to check on the guys in north dakota they had 6. I come home get the tire off of red baron and we head to blackduck to get the hammers vechicle plus repair my tire and Jimbos. We get home and I head out to rescue Jimbos plow truck which is been stuck with a broken plow since last Friday. We take care of that and head out where we got Minnesota and florida moved and prepped before dark just like a well oiled machine. I talked to the guys they had 5 more and a couple line snappers. Bushed I headed home to regroup and now today its time to hit the ice. From the looks of it 30 mile per hour winds it should be a interesting day on such a grand lake
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We love to read your adventures Cookie and looking forward to seeing you tomorrow. I hope today day plan A works for you. :happy1:
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Man Cookie I need a nap after just reading your adventures...
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Man Cookie I need a nap after just reading your adventures...
That's for sure!!! Hopefully things go good for you today Cookie!!!!
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Great entertaining reading every time.
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Great entertaining reading every time.
just wait till after this weekend the stories he tells with putting up with boar and the General!!!!!!!! ho boy!!!!!!!!!!! :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao:
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This is for faw kinn ai aka Doug
21 days into another season here on the shores of upper red lake have been a number of things.
Fun! Fun! Fun! Having my good friend Wayne come up is such a hoot. man do we laugh from all the shenanigans . One of our new sayings is "Here at cookies", "We do it right cause we do it twice" , its so funny how much it happens. Just a example put the shovel in the truck and take it out less then a minute later.
Playing Texas hold um or poker with the hammer! Not only can she fish but she can also put the hammer down playing poker.
Brutal is a word I can use all most everyday as mother nature rears her ugly side at least once a week if not more. Two snow falls this week with brutal winds crearting white out conditions.
- 33 yesterday morning when I fired up the red baron. She has a small miss, I also noticed it does not run well if its cold? Going to call my good friend Tommy Short today. He owns Autocraft Specialty's. He works on street rods, auto restoration with wiring one of his specialty's. He should be able to point me in the right direction as he is one of the best mechanics I know .
Blue thunder is down and is getting a new front u joint on the drive shaft. We were able to salvage the old drive shaft from blue thunder 1 as number 2s was shot and almost beyond repair. It is also getting a right front u joint as that was also destroyed. Its just kills me when you junk out a car there like oh will give you 100 bucks that's all its worth in scrape. Then they have the gall to sell you one part for 300 bucks. If I had the space I would own a junk yard in a hart beat.
A grind! Yes working on the lake is a grind, having a helper every year is huge. Even though my new guy Jimbo has other commitments some times. Its huge when he can help. He's a sharp kid, hard worker and seems to love working out on the lake.
A challenge! Keeping every thing running smoothly, helping fishermen! Anything from broken door handles, dead batteries, flat tires, stuck in snow banks, heaters not working, augurs not running, the list goes on and on.
One of the big ones," Finding fish" stupid fish!
That's about it for the day as that old timer Dave told me. "ITS A Grand Lake and It owes me Nothing, Nothing" I have to agree 100%
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Here goes another long winded report.
John and his crew were in North Dakota 4 nights, They landed 22 walleye's, 2 pike, 5 perch and had a couple fish break there lines. Friday there 4rth night I offered to move them for the last night once I got all my new customers checked in? They decided they were good which was a relief as you will see.
Glen arrived thrusday morning in white out conditions for one night in old Minnesota. ZOIKS!! As I escorted him out there going up the old road was not a option as it was gone. I decided the best plan would be not to plow but cross country the mile off the main road with the v-plow up. That did not work out and I buried the red baron 50 yards off the main road. Glen backed up to me and a quick jerk and I was able to back out and switch to plan b. Cut a new trail which would fill in before I came back out. We arrived at old Minnesota with no other adventures. I had not punched out the holes so that was in order before Glen could start fishing. The hammer had taken the generator to Bemidji so he would be fishing with the gas lights un tell she got back..
Due to the white out conditions florida and montana would have to wait un tell Friday morning to move to there new spots. We had pulled them out of there nests Wednesday eve, so they only needed to be moved a couple hundred yards ,blocked, banked and augured Friday morning.
The wind laid down around 4 pm to a slight breeze of lets say 15 after blowing around 40 all day. With 4 foot drifts around the house moving snow would also come into the equation Friday.
I arrived back to old Minnesota well after dark with the generator in tow. 40 dollars later and they said the problem was I over filled the oil? Glen had two in the bucket and said he should of had five but he could not see down the hole.
A big day was coming up again as Jimbo my helper was gone.
Friday morning and I was greeted with 33 below. I thought please red baron do not let me down as I hit the key. vroom she fired up. She still had that miss but runs a little better once its warmed up. I would get ahold of Tommy 250 miles away and have him figure out what I could do to correct the problem. Very irritating to say the least. Plan A was to baby her as much as possible as blue thunder was still at Toms getting u joint work done.
Arriving to the houses I felt I had plenty of time to grind it out. Glen was all ready gone with his 3 fish. A quick call, he had great action and pulled up the rattle wheels at some point. At 24 below and a slight breeze a face mask was in order. I dug out montana ,moved her to her new spot and before I could get the holes augured Berry and his crew called. "I need to make a adjustment as my web sight says check in is at 2pm" I'm some what flexible with check ins but I can not predict what mother nature throws at me. I finished up ,got them checked in and headed over to florida to do it all over again.
Prepping a area for florida and the phone rings. Its Ken and Middison there at hillmens. I get them in old Minnesota after punching out three more holes. About the time I started to move florida the phone rings again and its Steve and his crew, there at Hillmen's. Err there also early. They to would have to wait a bit. I bang out florida and go to greet them and its 1:38pm. If every one showed up after 2pm all would of been ready. Oh well maybe next time.
I then take a break to scout out a area as I have to move california and block and bank for Tony's friend Bob and Brenett. The timing works out perfect as Buddy hillmen calls and want 's me to clean off the bridge at 1.5 mile. I knock that out and head back where the phone rings . Its the general and Doug from mno .
I escort them out to area I scouted earlier and plow them a trail so they can get set up with there wheel houses where boar would be arriving later. I finish California around 4 pm and head to shore. I get gas and supply's pull in the driveway to take a break. Around 5:30pm and bob calls 1 1/2 hour late. I go meet them escort them to California and its time to have some dinner.
After dinner I make the rounds and call it a night.
Saturday morning I make the rounds where Florida got 5, Montana got 5 old Minnesota had 3 with 8 misses. Boar and his crew did not do well, with boars house having the most action. They decided they were going to move further out as that's part of the adventure of fishing such a grand lake.
I prepped north Carolina for Sparky and Trent and headed home to address the red barons miss as I had talked to Tommy and he gave me a few things to take a look at. The tips Tommy gave me help tremendously.
Saturday eve making the rounds and it was a little slow for every body. "Stupid fish"
Sunday morning and the guys in north Dakota were packing up and had two more over night. We said our good byes as Jimbo came out to help me prep and move north Dakota for Scott and his crew.
Ken and Maddison were gone so not sure how they finished.
Steve and his crew were gone to LOW for the day.
Barry and his crew had slower fishing and I told them I would move them if they were game.
Scott and his crew had terrible fishing in north Dakota
Boar and his crew from mno did not fair well in there new location, all though all of boars rattle wheels were spun out and he sent me a pic of the rats nest it had created."TO FUNNY"
Sparky and Trent had there 6 from north Carolina.
We said our goodbyes and got a few pics.
I then moved Montana for Berry and his crew. They helped and we had them set up on new ice in no time. I also checked in Jason and Reed in north Carolina to see if we could have good fishing in there again. I will move them to day depending on how they did. The plan is also to move north Dakota again as last night it was still dead on that new spot. Berry and his crew had 3 more when I checked in with them last night
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Another sunrise and another sunset made my day yesterday as I enjoyed a day on such a grand lake. I spent part of the morning in old Minnesota making some phone calls, planning my day and even wetting a line.
Berry and his crew Ted, Mike and Scott had left early do to the weather conditions in southern Minnesota. They only managed 3 more fish after the move. "Stupid fish".
I hung out in old minnesota until the generator ran out of gas so I could figure out how long it ran on a tank. !0 1/2 hours as she quit running at 8:30 am. Sure would be nice to have that burg system? Oh that's right its in the snow bank . "Stupid thing" not sure why it fails.
After fueling up the generator I made the morning rounds to be a little disappointed with the fishing report "Stupid fish" Oh well as Wayne always says if we caught them all there would not be any to catch.
I then went over to clean and prep Montana for Brian and Stacy as they were coming up for there 25th anniversary.
I also gave Reid and Jason a couple tips as they were off to find the very elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. They only caught one walleye in North Carolina so I told them when they came back it would be in a new spot.
I then said goodbye to Steve from Michigan and his crew in Florida. They did horrible on low and did not fair much better in florida the third night. They did have some action on tip ups though just outside the house.
Then over to north Dakota where again no fish "stupid fish" what a horrible spot that turned out to be. We talked and I told them I would be back at 10:30 to move the house. Arriving back at 10:38 we were on the move. I told them if all went well they would be wetting a line again by noon. I also said if they wanted they could ride in north Dakota. Scott ask if I had any more shovels and I said sure do I have 3 so they all pitched in to dig her out. The move went well and just like I promised they were wetting a line by noon. Cory said the ride was way smoother then he expected.
The phone rings and its Stacy and Brian 2 hours early, perfect as the house is ready to go. At the same time Buddy Hillmen calls and says he is over the pressure ridge and were going to open another mile of road. OH! Oh! plan A is now switched to plan B. I get them checked in and I'm off to help with the new road.
It did not take long to burn up a 1/2 tank of gas. I checked in with Buddy Hillmen and headed home to gas up, check the fluids and get back out to the houses as I still had more work there. Moving north Carolina went well other then a few issues with the extension cords. As my very good pal Wayne says. "Here at Cookies we do it right cause we do it Twice"
Once North Carolina was all set I was back out to Hillmen's highway where we would keep plugging away on the new mile of road. 2 hours later and I was heading home for a quick bite before making the evening rounds.
Stacy and Brian were the first stop where Stacy had lost 5 fish at the hole. I gave her a tip on landing them so we will see if that pans out.
Reid and Jason found north Carolina and had a blast fishing outside all day. They landed a few walleyes but no" elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie". I guess that's why I call them elusive.
Last stop was at North Dakota ! I had played a round of Texas Hold um with them the night before and wanted another shot.
Scott did not play, he sure deserves to catch a few fish as he was always holding his fishing rod and jigging when I stopped in. One fish was all they caught on the new spot "stupid fish".
I lost a second time in hold um and headed home where I ran into a local Dave him and his son had set up just to the north east of us where they landed 3 nice fish.
Well back to the grind again today. we have mike coming for north Dakota and Kieth and his kids coming for florida. I told both them that check in was at 2pm.
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Dear Cookie - your paragraphs are the best!
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thanks it was constructive criticism. Any thing to make it better
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Darn it Doug, I wanted to see you put your legs behind your head as your pic shows. Forgot to ask you to do that so I could get a pic in person....
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Darn it Doug, I wanted to see you put your legs behind your head as your pic shows. Forgot to ask you to do that so I could get a pic in person....
Oh that's too bad... and yoga class started right after you left. Of course we were all doing it, although Boar needed some extra spiritual guidance. Namaste
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You sure can get a lot done when your not battling mother nature. Buddy Hillmen and I punched out another mile of highway Tuesday so that was two miles in two days. Wow talk about a lot of snow to move.
Wednesday morning making the rounds to say good bye to Brian and Stacy and check in on the Mike and his crew in North Dakota.
Brian and Stacy were able to land a few fish after my tip and were packing up when I arrived. They plan on coming next year around the last weekend of walleye.
Mike and his crew went to westwind around 8pm where they brought there guitars and played music tell closing. They said they had a hoot. I had billiards tuesday night or I sure would of joined them.
They only landed a few walleyes but one of the guys landed a 26 1/2 inch walleye at 630 am. My plans were to start the big migration out further and I explained what they had to do for the big move. I told them my plans and I would be back at noon .
I then cleaned up old Minnesota as Darrel, Bobby Joe and Ron had called Tuesday to see if I had a opening for one night.
Then I was off to meet Jimbo as he would be helping me. With two more miles of Buddy Hillmens highway done this has opened up a huge area of fishing for us. Finally getting blue thunder back on the ice was strange. With no clunks it feels like something is wrong? It did feel good to be taking both trucks back out onto the ice at the same time. We worked our butts off getting north Dakota and North Carolina prepped for the move. More training for Jimbo as he would be towing a house with the red baron.
Darrel ,Bobby Joe and Ron arrived just in time as I got them checked in before we pulled out. Every thing went well, but Darrel gave me the puppy eyes, wondering why all the house were going out deeper but them.
Arriving at the new area. I made a new road going north where we brought north Dakota to its new spot and prepped it for Mike and his crew. Then we were off to retrieve Montana and Florida, Old Minnesota would wait tell Thursday to be moved.
The next two houses were florida and montana. I was a little nervous letting Jimbo tow montana but it had to be done and he is a sharp kid. Plus he had one under his belt. Arriving to the new area and we towed florida down by north Dakota where I decided we would prep it for fishing and if Darrel and the crew were game they could move there gear and fish in florida instead.
Arriving back at old Minnesota to surprise Darrel about the move and they were kinda like. What should we do? perfect I love when a plan comes together. They decided to move.
As the sun was setting Jimbo and I headed home where we needed to get a flat tire off of Jimbo's daily driver so we could get it fixed on Thursday.
The hammer and I headed out around 8pm to check on everyone and visit with Bobby Joe and the crew. We arrive to Florida where Mike and 2 of his crew from north dakota are all partying with Darrel ,Bobby Jo and Ron. Bobby Jo was fishing hard and had caught a couple. Mike said the fishing was way better in north Dakota also. I love it when a plan comes together. I even caught a fish on Darrel's rattle wheel while we were there. I missed him, then Darrel missed him. I then got him on the third try.
Mike and his crew headed back to north dakata. Ron, Darrel and I joined them while they played and sang some original songs they had wrote. I even joined in with the harmonic for a tune. Its been a long times since I played . The hammer and I called it a night as she was working Thursday morning at the gas station/North country food and fuel.
Yesterday was another beautiful day out on such a grand lake, as we worked in tee shirts as the temps hit 41 degrees. We got Montana on its new spot and also moved old Minnesota to its new location. We also squeezed in time to go get Jimbo a new used tire. I had him drive while I took a nap as I was worn out.
The red baron has been running rough and missing. While Jimbo did the tire I did some maintenance trying to track down the miss that has been driving me crazy. I want the red baron to perform like a race car coming out of a corner. Hard on the gas and accelerating un tell you let off for the next corner. I may of tracked down the problem as I just came back in the house after misting water on all the plug wires. It looked like the 4th of July with all the sparks. There Zipped tied for now and I'm going to have Wayne pick me up a high performance set on the way up today.
Speaking of Wayne, he is pumped coming up today. With the mild temps we are going to get all the picture windows washed inside and out . Nothing like enjoying the sunrises and sunsets and all the other shenanigans looking out a perfectly clean window.
He is also bringing his sister and husband for there first trip ever on upper red lake. He is so excited he probably did not sleep good last night.
Well that's about it for today. I have 20 holes to augur, more roads to clean up, greet the customers when they arrive, place the generators with there new boxes. Block, bank north Carolina, wash windows, get fuel, and the most important thing of all.
Have a grand day, on a grand lake that as Dave the old timer told me. It's a Grand Lake and it owes me NOTHING! NOTHING
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cool beans cookie, great report.
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Looks like you guyz are having some heavy rain up there today,all the way to the canadian border,crazy weather for january.
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Well well where to begin. This past Friday went a little smoother checking in our customers, all though I still had a few other issues?
You can never totally go with the plan and I'm constantly improvising something .This time it was the red baron.
Farting around with the spark plug wires I was confident I had my missing problem solved. I head up to North country food fuel gas, up and I'm still not happy with the red baron so I pop the hood and start messing with the wires again. I hit the lake and now its running worse then ever? Oh well new wires are coming so I forge my way out too finish prepping.
My timing is perfect all day long as I get every one checked in as they arrive.
Of course mother nature now does a flip flop and there's standing water around the houses with the warm temps. Oh Well the January thaw! its better then 40 below,
Dan and Dave/Gravy" great nick name', checked into north Carolina, What a great couple of guys. Gravy was like having a helper out there as he was all over gassing up the generator and meeting the neighbors after I checked them in.
Justin and Megan arrived for north Dakota with Ron and Caroline arriving later in the day. Ken ,Carl, Terry and Sarah arrived for florida right on time. They have ben here before and know the routine .
After taking care of them I was off to old Minnesota to prep for Wayne's arrival. Jarrod and Jeromy would not be arriving tell after 10 pm. for montana. After finishing up I headed to shore with the red baron running like crap.
Arriving back on shore I decide to again look at the plug wires and discover number 2 plug wire is not even on? To funny I guess! As my good friend wayne says, here at Cookie's we do it right cause we do it twice and some times even Thrice. Plugging the wire in and just like that after all the fooling around re routing the wires she running 80 % better . Man am I looking forward to installing them new wires today.
Making the rounds later that evening and every one was having a grand time,
Saturday morning and all the house's had some fish and fish stories to tell. How sweet a feeling that is!
Saturday evening and again making the rounds we were starting to see a lot of standing water in the roads and around the houses. You can not beat mother nature out there no mater how hard you try.
We fished with Wayne and his sister Kathy where again the hammer was up to here old tricks landing a elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. I even got in on the action and landed a nice keeper walleye.
Sunday morning making the rounds and saying good by, Gravy Dave and as Carolina said" Dan was biscuit were headed home with only 5? I'm not sure if they ate any.
Ken, Carl Sarah and Terry? in florida had a great time. They were going home with a few nice perch and 7 keepers walleyes plus a number of misses and a couple of pike released. A good fishy area in my book.
North dakoata was the hot house. They were going home with 12 and also ate 6 . Megan cooked them up with a honey crust, drizzled with honey. Sounded great and there going to send me the receipt.
Then as they were packing Justin landed a elusive yes elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. Man that house seems to catch fish. Saturday night they were playing a drinking game .Man were they having fun.
Jarrod and Jeromy in montana also had some fish to take home so all in all every one had a grand time on a grand lake.
Hillmens Highway should be in great shape once the cold air comes back. The road is 7 miles out and as always you could land a 747 on it. There is a bridge around 1.7 miles. out., There's a curve about 3.5 to the left then right. There's cones around 6 miles for now to let the new mile of road firm up. That's about it today. Busy day ahead but looking forward to hiitting the lake with my good friend Marty as he arrived early this morning with a buddy.
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Glad to hear there are s m o o t h days too. :happy1:
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Little testy yesterday? yes its true. Another busy day for me yesterday. Marty and his buddy headed out to see Wayne while I wrote my fishing report.
Wayne text yesterday morning that we were having generator trouble? We worked on it through the phone and wayne was able to get it running better at half choke. We discovered that the foam air filter was breaking down and I think the jet/ needle and seat may be clogged. So this morning I'm headed out to the shop . Laundry room to remove and clean the carb.
Yesterday with Wayne's help, we putt he new plug wires on the red baron. Wow what a difference. Knock on wood she /he now runs like I want it to.
After saying good by to wayne I was off to get North Dakota on a new spot and out of the standing water. Then I dug florida out of its spot and got that on dry ice? Dave Rohde arrives today so I will get north Dakota all blocked banked and ready fro there arrival. I also plan on moving old Minnesota to that area. Then florida needs to travel over by montana for the weekend.
All that nice weather we had , and even though it was warm yesterday the wind had picked up a bit and it was a little chilly while I was working out there. II'll make sure I dress better for it this morning.
I did make the rounds last night around 8pm. I did not expect Marty and his buddy to have much action and I was right. 4th night on the same spot.
Keith and Tesa had 3 nice fish yesterday morning and had missed a few. The lights were dim when I arrived out there so I will see how they did today. A wheel house parked right behind north dakata where I had it so I'm curious to see how they did. My friend Lee set up 100 yards to the west of old Minnesota so we will also see how he did.
Looking at the weather the winds are going to be out of the west for some time so all the houses will be facing east by the weekend.
Well time to get to work. Hillmen's highway should be in great shape by the weekend as the cold weather freezes up the standiing water
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Mother nature rules again. So we have a beautiful weekend with temps in the 40s. All The houses have fairly good action. The warm weather caused a huge mess with melted snow making water puddles ever where. We easily lost half our snow cover.
The banking on the houses turned to rock hard snow. Not whining as its part of the job.
A lot of vehicles were pretty much driving any where they wanted as the snow was like mashed potato's driving through it. Now all those tracks have collected water and froze so there's frozen ruts all over the place. Any where there still a foot of snow there 1 inch of wet snow that will not freeze because its insulated. V plowing into that makes giant snow balls that then freeze into ice chunks. As always its quite the challenge taking on good old mother nature.
Then there's the stupid fish. We moved old Minnesota on Tuesday as well as north Dakota for Dave ,Patty and Dave's dad Jim. Checking in on them yesterday morning and they did terrible "Stupid fish". I set it up to move them around 1pm to hopefully give them a better chance.
Marty and Shane were to the south of them and only managed three . They did kinda tie one on and may of missed a few rattle wheels?
My friend Lee was to the west of them about 300 yards and managed to land 5.
I got Dave and his family all reset around 2 :15 so it took a little over a hour to get them moved, not including the prep time for the new spot. Stooping in last night and they had way better action. Dave said they had a run where they missed five They did have two in the bucket so maybe this morning they had a good run or two last night.
Andy arrives today and I have montana all set up off by itself as he requested. They are bringing there own generator so I can have them off by them self . John rolls in for North Carolina so will be setting that up this morning also. Old Minnesota, North Dakota and North Carolina all need to be in there own little group.
A very busy day, and as always, mother nature has thrown a wrench in things. I will power through it. Even as Wayne says" Here at Cookie"s we do it right cause we do it twice and some times thrice".
The warm weather made Buddy Hillmen's highway a little rougher then he would like. I be leave as we travel on it with the plows it should smooth out a bit. Remember they would like the traffic to keep under 15 mph while on the Highway. It pushes out around 6 to 7 miles with a curve around 3 miles.
As always I'm about ready to head out and have a grand day on a grand lake. Who knows maybe Dave and his crew landed a elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie plus a couple limits of walleyes. "Stupid fish"
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Only 31 nights of the 2017 walleye/pike season left to go. As always I plan on grinding it out looking for the very elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. We have the same crew coming up again this year as we search for these highly prized fish. My good buddy Jake who built our north Dakota house and owns it, is possessed with these fish. He has not even planned to fish his house un tell we have our get together in march. I have never gave up on these fish as they are truly trophies. The hammer would rather eat them then walleyes? If we get a few, we will eat a couple and the rest will be released to educate all the others? Of course they will tell the others what the houses are like and they take pictures of you and then let you go?
Yesterday went pretty smooth, I said goodbye to Dave, Jim and Patty. Patty loved the house. They only managed to take home five fish but Dave said they should of had more so the move paid off.
I started the day prepping montana for Andy. He has been coming for years and montana is his house of choice. He really digs the lights under the house. He had requested the house be off by it self if he brings his own generators .He feels that is the key to have some of the epic fishing they have had over the years, plus it has been written for years that's the key to catching fish on upper red lake is being off by your self. His good buddy Sam arrives later today for florida and it is also off by itself just out of walking distance from montana. Sam landed a 27 1/2 walleye a couple years ago.
After prepping montana I was off to retrieve north Carolina for John and his buddy. They would also be arriving at 2pm. Just as I was ready to fire up the augur they called to say they had arrived. About a hour early. I was polite as I told them I needed a little more time before the house was ready. I gave them directions to where I was and they were going to dilly dally on there way out. They have friends and relatives that are here for the big ice castle gathering out of Rodgers and wanted to know if they could get there form the house. I said it would sure be nice if all the roads interlocked but more them likely they were better off going around then trying to cross country with out a second truck with them just in case.
Andy also arrived about the same time so I got all checked in and I was off to move old Minnesota . I have a great system and all went smooth as I got old Minnesota on its new spot for Rick, Mike and Matt.
This morning I'm off to augur both florida and old Minnesota, a little other prep time and if all goes well all three houses should be ready a round noon 2 hours before check in time.
When I came off the lake last night I was spent. The hammer had a nice home cooked meal cooking when I walked in. That was good because I was beat and did not feel like cooking. After dinner I laid down for a bit and I was done. I did not make it out to check on Andy and his buddies Andy and Blake. I'm sure they will all understand. Andy has been coming for so long he knows I'm only a phone call away. John and his buddy planned on hooking up with there relatives and it sounds like the house is more of a place to sleep as it was a last minute deal. no phone calls so all must be good. I did run into Cliff when I came off the lake .He was fishing 8 feet of water and only landed two.
Randy and Tammy also arrived while I was coming off the lake. I sent them to a new area to pre fish/ scout and if they did good I will move the whole fleet out there if need be.
My part time helper Jimbo was missing in action this week. He headed home for a few days so we will see if he is available this up and coming week.
I'm still trying to get the new/used truck from Colorado. Its a chevy so that's good,
Well its time to hit the lake, I'm hoping the good nights sleep gives me a second wind as I seem to hit a wall every night. Some times at 8pm, sometimes at 9 pm, some time not tell 11pm. I'm thinking I need to sneak in a nap in old Minnesota once in a while the rest of the season,with out the rattle wheels down.
Heading out in a bit on as we all know by now. Its a grand lake that owes us nothing.
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Hows this for a report? All the houses got a few. sleazy-422.gif
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A rare occurrence as we saw the sun this weekend. Seems it was cloudy for at least 10 days so it was nice getting to see a classic upper red lake sunset.
Friday morning heading out all rested, ready for another day on such a grand lake. Just like always I had plenty to do but would not be battling mother nature. A quick check with Andy, Andy and Blake and they had some action and had 8 in there fish bag.
John and Mike in north Carolina did not fair as well and only had 3. They did find Johns cousin . Turns out they had rented from alpine and were not involved in the icog get together out of Rodgers.
I banged out florida as Sam would be arriving around 10 am. Then off to north Dakota to prep.. I decided to leave it after only being fished less the 20 hours for Early and his crew Darrel ,Tom and Jason. Again the timing was perfect as they arrived just as I button it up. I explained that Dave and his wife and dad had some decent action and depending how they did we would move them Saturday if need be.
I then went over to old Minnesota on its new spot. I dilly dallied, cleaning, prepping and auguring for there arrival at 2. Again the phone rang just as I was finishing up. I gave Rick direction out to where we were as I button her up. She looked great in all her glory. Old Minnesota is well over 35 years old. I'm still looking forward to the new carpet as I did not care for the indoor outdoor carpet that Dan installed a few years ago. I want real house hold carpet as there nothing better then landing fish in your slippers or socks. After checking them in it was off to say hi to Sam as he had arrived and andy had directed him out there. Sam was pumped as he said he was going to get a bigger walleye then his 27 1/2 a few years ago. I bit my lip as I really did not expect him to get a bigger fish, All though I thought maybe they would get lucky and land a elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie as the house was about 300 yards from where the hammer got one a couple weeks ago.
Tammy and Randy had set up after dark Thursday eve and they never marked a fish so Randy was on the move and heading to a area they had done well last year. I stopped to say hello and visit for a bit before I headed off the lake as the sun was setting on such a beautiful afternoon. They did invite the hammer and I out for some chili so that was the plan Friday eve when I would be making the rounds. The area Randy moved to had some good action before dark but after that they would come look and swim away.
Rick and his crew texted to say they were hitting the sack early as they had driven most of the night to arrive.
North Dakota was way slow and only had 1 perch and a walleye lost at the hole. I guess I new what I was doing Saturday morning.
Andy, Blake, Sam and Andy were having a hoot in florida and montana and darn if Sam did not catch a very elusive but still catchable upper red lake crappie. A beautiful 14 1/2 incher. Both house were also catching a few walleyes so that felt good to see. I now new where north Dakota would be moving too.
Saturday morning I headed out and told the guys in North Dakota what had to be done for the move, I went to pick and prep a area and when I got back they had landed two keeper walleyes at 10 am? Stupid fish. The move went well and I had them fishing in less then a hour after pulling up there lines.
Saturday eve making the rounds and again the action was fair for all the houses. Every one had a few fish and were all having a great time.
The hammer and I headed over to Rodgers to go see Lonnie , Lisa and there new Ice castle out at the get together. Very beautiful house and huge.
What a spectacle it was out there, with all the flashing lights, it looked like a airport from a distance. It would of been nice to cut over after making the rounds but we took the highway. We visited for a bit and checked out the tent with the live band. Heading home I again hit the wall and turned in for the night,
Sunday morning and Early called to say they had no power? I arrived out there to find the plug had just vibrated loose. They were getting ready to pack it in. They only managed to catch a few more fish but said they missed a bunch,
Andy and Andy were also packing up with there fish, Sam and Blake were also heading out with there 6 keepers. Rick in old Minnesota had all ready left and only took home 7 . I also never got to see John and Mike but I know they had a few.
I then spent the rest of the day cleaning the houses and getting north Dakota ready for Tim, Pete and Danny's arrival for north Dakota. The same deal, the house had not been fished 24 hours so they were there for one night and we /I will move them to a fresh spot today if need be.
I also moved Old Minnesota out to that area and plan on getting north Dakota over there so I'm only maintaining one road off the main road as we have some snow and wind coming starting today.
After getting old Minnesota set up the hammer met me out there where we enjoyed a chicken dinner and I out fished the hammer for once, as I landed 3 with a couple misses and the hammer could not get them to bite, I did use a vex so I was on even playing field with her.
I'm hoping they did good in north Dakota last night? I have a feeling we will be putting the house on fresh ice today as the second night hardly ever is better then the first.
Time to head out as Ole is bringing a couple friends up to fish montana and I need to get north carolina over with the fleet as I have officially ruined another area. I also can abandon that road system before mother nature rears her ugly side today.
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Stupid fish?
Well the snow came and went. I would say we got about 5 inches of the white fluffy stuff.
Its been a busy few days for me but still enjoying the time I get to spend out there on as David the old timer told me a Grand lake.
Tim ,Dan and Pete did not fair so well in north Dakota so the plan was to move them . As the snow was coming down with narly a wisp of wind I got to work. Since the area has been pretty fishy I would hop scotch around montana to the north east. With every thing so white it was tough seeing as I pulled the house around the back side of montana where my good friend Ole and his to buddies Gale and Greg would be fishing. I pulled up to the spot I thought I prepped, Delete repeated word out, unhooked, blocked it up and started to bank it when I realized I was only about 100 feet from montana. OOPS!
Tim ,Dan and Pete did not fair so well in north Dakota so the plan was to move them . As the snow was coming down with nairly a wisp of wind I got to work. Since the area has been pretty fishy I would hop scotch around montana to the north east. With every thing so white it was tough seeing as I pulled the house around the back side of montana where my good friend Ole and his to buddies Gale and Greg would be fishing. I pulled up to the spot I thought I prepped. I got out unhooked, blocked it up and started to bank it when I realized I was only about 100 feet from montana. OOPS!
Once I had them all moved in The phone rang and Ole had arrived. I gave him direction out to the area and double checked to make sure montana was all ready. Its so funny when you give fishermen direction out onto the lake. It must be the excitement of arriving as a lot of them do not listen. After I gave Ole directions, he says meet you at the junction? I never said anything about a junction. To funny.
Any way it has been a tough bite since they arrived .Tim and his son inlaws were up to 7 fish yesterday and Ole and his crew were up to 3 walleyes, 1 32 inch pike, 1 smaller pike and 1 very elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie.
There all leaving today and we have Glen arriving for florida and van and his two buddies will be fishing old Minnesota.
Yesterday was a very long day as we reopened 10 miles of road. There's still a little bit left but you could land a 747 on most of Buddy Hillmens highway.
I talked to Marlow and his buddy. They found a hot spot and in two days between the two ice castle caught around 60 fish.
Kim and Tim went home with there 6 and figured they caught 20 with some misses.
Looking at the calendar and florida and montana are open the 10th and 11th at this time. Time to hit the lake, hoping the winds to not blow to hard. I may have to do the no wind. no snow snow dance
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my fishing report Stupid fish
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very enlightening cookie. lol
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Wow where did the week go? Mother nature sure can raise hel when she wants. My no wind no snow dance never had a chance. Tuesday night the winds picked up out of the north west and has not stopped since, throw in dropping temps and it has been brutal out there.
Tim and his son in laws were able to have a big fish fry and even got to know Ole a bit. They were nice enough to share some of there fish fry with Ole and Greg. Ole sure appreciated that.
He is quite the character. He has been a trophy hunter as long as I have known him 39 years. He use to go up to low chasing pike in march as he wanted a 25 pound pike for his wall. Well he finally got that fish but he got it here years ago. When he landed it he threw it on the seat of his jeep and came off the lake to get it weighed. Who puts a 25 pound live fish in the passenger seat of your vehicle? Only Ole I think.
Another quick story about Ole, I was bow hunting years ago. I was walking out to my stand when a beautiful 10 pointer walked right in front of me. I never got a shot and he walked away. I told Ole about this deer when he arrived. It was a very dry year and I ask him where would that deer go to get water? he did a little scouting and found the spot he figured he would get him. It was about a mile from where I saw this deer. He set up a ground blind then paced off the distance he could see down the trail. Then he came back to town and went to the gravel pit where he shot a couple rounds just to make sure every thing was good. The next morning with the temps close to zero he settled in to his ground blind. He looked at all his bullet's and picked out the smoothest one. Two hours later he got him in one shot. He then confessed that the first night he saw a doe when he had told me he did not see any thing that night. He said he new that buck would show himself. Totally impressed even though he got that deer I had been chasing for a couple years.
Any way back to the fishing and mother nature. I headed out Wednesday morning to say good bye and see how everyone did. Very slow. Tim did get a elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie plus a couple more walleyes. Ole also ended up getting a elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie.
I set Van and his two buddies up in florida. I set Glens buddies up in old Minnesota they are from Oklahoma and drove 11 hundred miles to catch some fish. I was visiting Wednesday eve just before dark when Glen set the hook on the first fish. Yep another elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies. Then the rattle wheel went off and glen said grab it. Swing and a miss as I lipped him darn paper mouths.
yesterday I headed out to say good bye to van and they only landed 3 walleyes.
The guys from Oklahoma got one walleye and another elusive yet still catchable upper reed lake crappie. They wanted to know if I could move them. I explained that mother natures winds have been making a mess of things and if I moved them I would more the likely have to move old Minnesota again today so its on fresh ice for the weekend plus all my other houses need to be on fresh ice for today. Busting butt , Joe said they would help so I prepped a new area back a half mile and rickety split had them moved and set up in no time.
Then my helper Jimbo showed up and we proceeded to get Florida, Montana and north Dakota all on fresh ice in what I would say brutal conditions minus 8 with 15 to 20 miles an hour nw winds . It was only the second time this year I had to where a face mask out there while working.
I come off the lake last night after spending 10 hours out there and get the phone call that Adam he will not be coming for north Dakota this weekend. Ouch, Oh well! Do I have a surprise for Jerry" allis Dakidd " on Saturday, as I plan on bumping them in to north Dakota from north Carolina. I then plan on using north Carolina as a day house the rest of the season. Again plan a has changed to plan b
Buddy Hillmen's highway is in great shape .We have plowed the crap out of it the last 3 days plus Buddy some how found time to add two more miles of road? I'm not sure how he does it as I was busy prepping houses for today. I would say there's 12 miles or more of hillmens highway. I will be widening it everyday as I come and go off the lake, plus cleaning up all the drifting snow.
Remember the secret to upper red lake is distance from others and with all that open space out there you should have no problem finding your own private piece on such a grand lake
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So here goes, very frustrating on such a grand lake. I love doing this and every year is different. This year no exception. I do every thing possible to have the houses on fresh fishy spots. I also spend maybe way to much time prepping the houses before the customers arrival . Then throw in mother nature and it becomes quite the grind.
Checking on everyone Friday night and Saturday morning and I basically got down a little bit about finding the stupid fish. Its so frustrating .I expected montana with Eric and Alec to do real well as the spot was very fishy. I also had super high hopes for florida with Rollie and Kevin. I also expected great fishing for Wayne and I as it was a lot of extra work getting old Minnesota on the spot.
Back in the crappie boom the saying was if your not breaking equipment your not on the spot. Augering the holes were a bear, banking the house was a bear, plus I needed the extension which of course was at home. I was really hoping and expecting for the mother load of the elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. If we landed on them I knew Wayne would only keep 1 or two.
I could not have a better friend to fish and hang out with as the hammer was in the cities. The laughing and yuks never stop when he is here and they always say laughter is the best medicine and I would have to agree, Man did we laugh. We even laughed about the lack of fish. I did get Wayne 1 elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie and 1 walleye. That was the whole take for 2 hard days of fishing out of old Minnesota.
I managed to rent north Dakota to Mark, Collet,, Sharon and Al for Saturday night and they did go home with some fish.
Florida ended up doing really well during the day Saturday? Which totally made sense as It was also a hard place to set up. They did land a elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie to boot.
Montana was 150 feet and caught enough for a good fish fry and went home sunday morning with no fish.
I also had a free night I had given away, They fished north Carolina and got there 6 so that felt good.
Another busy week is ahead as mother nature is ready to say "Take This'. Batten down the hatches its going to be a long week prepping. We have 4 fresh inches of snow this morning with high winds and more snow predicted. I'm going to head out and do a little no snow snow dance and also a no wind wind dance but I'm afraid its not going to help.
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yes the winds are going to be nasty in areas, good luck and good read!! :happy1:
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hey cookie.......is it something in the air that you smell to find a FISHY spot? or do you ask boar where he'd go, then go 6 miles the other direction!!!!!!!!!!!! :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao:
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he sneaks up here and fishes out of other places? tut_tut-3315.gif. He going to be my sidekick coming up. Maybe I'll try that as a last ditch effort. desperate
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Not much of a fishing report today. Yesterday I spent most of the day plowing. Started at the gas station where the hammer works . North country food and fuel. Knocked out our driveway.
Then I headed over to Buddy Hillmen's highway to cut the north edge with blue thunder. Got out to the bridge at 1.5 miles and helped Buddy clear snow away from the area.
Then back home where I fired up the red baron and v plowed 5 hours. We cleared the main road all the way to the end about 7 miles?
A few mishaps but nothing major. Lost the two tires, chained to the back of the red baron and with all the snow packed in them I could not even lift them. I spent a few minutes digging out all the snow and was able to prop one tire on my generator and then man handle them back on.
Hit a good bumped and knocked the v plow off its chain so I could not lift the plow untell some one could hold the button while I pushed it back down.
Pulled off the lake at 5 pm, gas upped, cleaned all the door jams of ice and snow with a hammer and parked the red baron. I
Then headed back out to move north Dakota to its fishy spot where I banked it for Mike and his crew coming today.
There all musicians so hope to play a little harmonica with them tonight or tomorrow.
Bobby and her crew come up tomorrow so florida and montana need to be moved and reset. Hoping for a few elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies.
Montana is still open for the weekend at this time? Not sure what happen there other then Feb 10th 11th is not a popular weekend for fishing.
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Cookie you play harmonica?! Good to know.
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well my no snow, snow dance did not work again. I guess I used it up earlier this year which was good as we did not need any snow while we were making our first ice. Monday we cleared the road after getting 5 inches of fresh powder. The it started to snow again Monday night and when it stopped yesterday we were looking at another4 inches.
I had Mike and his crew arriving around noon so after prepping the house I was back to plowing. I plugged away helping with the first 1.5 miles and we had that whipped out in no time. then Jimbo showed up and we started cutting the next 4 miles of road as I needed to get out to florida and montana to get them moved onto fresh ice. I sure wanted to leave florida where it was just to see if the fishing stayed good. I do know the spot so may go back to it for sure. After getting both house moved and prepped we cut a new trail to the houses as The old road I had made has way to much banked snow and its easier to make a new road then to try and save whats there. After getting that done Jimbo and I started widing the road back to the bridge where I sent Jimbo home with blue thunder and I continued to plow in tell 5 pm. Buddy Hillmen arrived back from his bus driving job as I had to call it quits for I had pool last night.
I'm sure Buddy was worried about the wind ruining what we had got done. I told him I would hit it hard again this morning so that's the plan as I head out to auger montana, florida and north Carolina for Bobby and her crew.
When I came home from pool I noticed his vplow was running at the shop so he put in a long stint clearing the road.
Today were greeted with minus 17 so with the winds I will be warring a face mask when I'm outside. Mother nature just keeps on ticking. The Hillmen highway should be in great shape by the weekend. There got to be 15 miles of road so theres plenty of un fished areas to find the mother load.
Mike and his crew did have 3 keepers when I left the lake last night and I'm looking forward to hanging with them later tonight as the jam and sing some of there original songs. Gonna be a grind the next 18 days as the game fish season winds down.
I think I may of got my second wind I will know by dinner time tonight if I hit a wall after supper.
Last thing as I did have another cancelation for the weekend of the 17th. That two in less then a week
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so we had a couple cancelation for tomorrow and Saturday. Any body anybody
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Well I think I found my second wind but Mother nature was not kind this week that's for sure.
Buddy Hillmen's highway was in great shape when I came off the lake last night.
Wednesday morning we were greeted with 17 below with wind chills around minus 30. Putting propane on montana with out my face mask and it was so cold it hurt my forehead..
Mike and his crew ended up with 5 fish Wednesday so another slow day of fishing. Bobby Joe, Darrel and her sister and brother inlaw ,Vickie and Paul rolled in around 2 pm Wednesday.
My new road had all ready started to drift in as the wind was relentless this week and just keeps on blowing. I'm going to talk to Buddy Hillmen as I think I need to build my berms on my side roads to the east instead of the west?
The red baron with its 454 finally runs like I expect it to and when I was going up to get gas Wednesday afternoon I swung into Joels driveway to break open a trail and darn if I did not have a major and I mean major break down. The red baron will be getting flat bedded to the transmission shop today as I think I broke the transfer case? I'll know more when he digs into it next week . He said I may of stripped out the tail shaft and if I did the transmission will have to be rebuilt. Ouch bad timing. Its part of the business but still sucks when it happens. Then I'm coming off the lake last night after checking in on Bobby joe, Darrel and the others and I have a blow out on blue thunder. That's real bad timing as the winds have been howling out of the south since last night.
I did stop and talk to Kevin who I call Neil and his crew Pete, Pete, Bob, David, Knoll who got a elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie while I was there. and Joe Tom. I think I got them all. They were all in a 16 foot ice castle. Crazy! When I walked in a needed ear plugs it was so loud in there. What a great bunch of guys though. There headed to bowstring this morning to search for some crappies. I was hoping to get in a game of cribbage but that was not happening.
Justin and his buddy Casey? had pretty good fishing yesterday so it again comes down to location, location, location, you can not blame the weather as there always biting some where on such a grand lake. Casey landed a 37 inch pike 1/2 hour after dark last night. Crazy pike
Our very good friend Marty also rolled in Wednesday morning. I set him up in old Minnesota where he banged out 3 fish just after dark. Yesterday he helped me move north Dakota after Mike and his crew left. I never got to jam with them ,maybe when they come back up the last weekend of walleyes.
Well I guess that's about it. Old Minnesota , montana and North Carolina are all open for the weekend after 2 cancelations this week. That's a first all year and may be a blessing to give me time to regroup a bit. Been humping on the lake since a week before Christmas not even sure how many days its been. That top bunk in old Minnesota does have my name all over it and this weekend you may find me napping in there.
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now cookie, im comeig and pounding on the door! COOKIE WHERES THE FISH????????COOKIE, WHERES MY HAUSENPHEPAR!!!! see ya this evening.
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Another weekend has come and gone. 60 plus days on the lake and I have taken a nap in old Minnesota for about 10 minutes I think.
Friday morning I headed out before light to wet a line with my good friend and helper from two years ago Marty. I had him staying in old Minnesota since it was open for the weekend. He had caught a few fish since he arrived but nothing to brag about.
Even though I had 2 houses open for the weekend I still had a busy day ahead.
I had a little final prep work in north Dakota before Bill and his crew arrived. I also had to go track down a tire for blue thunder. In my haste putting on the new tire chain before we pulled the red baron out of her predicament it looks like I may of had a twist in it and that's what caused the blow out. I was able to track down a tire and go to kellier to get it mounted. I arrived back just in time to check Bill, Tom, Mike and Joe into north Dakota. I was then off to prep florida as my son John was heading up with his friend Joe.. I decided to leave it where Bobby joe and Darrel fished Wednesday Thursday.
The hammer and I also planned on wetting a line with Marty for a possible evening bite then. I would be making dinner at home. We did manage to catch a couple fish. After dinner I decided to lay down on the couch and wait for john to arrive before I checked in on the guys in north Dakota. They had had some action starting around 3pm when I had swung in after showing Boar where to park his ice castle as he would be fishing next to Bill has they had become friends on one of the fishing sites and had never met.
John and his friend rolled in around 9;30 and woke me up. Man was I groggy it took me more then a few minutes to gather my bearings. Once I got them checked in I was planning on stopping in at north Dakota. I had called Boar and he said they were all fine so I headed home for the evening.
I did do a little plowing along the southern berm along Buddy hillmen's highway on the way in and you could see where it has been flooding under all the weight of the snow so if you plan on heading north I would suggest using Hillmen's access rather then trying to cross from the south.
Saturday morning I again got out on the lake early to wet a line with Marty. I set one rattle wheel , poured a cup of coffee and started jigging a rattle flyer. I ask Marty if he had gassed up the generator and he said nope so I say Oh I will go gas it up. I come back in the house and there's Marty holding a fish he caught on the rattle wheel with my green glow genze worm.
I then checked in on Bill and his crew they had landed 9 fish I think and had eaten a few over night.
I then headed out to florida where I checked on john and joe. The dead sea. Stupid fish, so again the third night in a rental was no good. They ask if I would auger a couple holes for tip ups and I told them I would. and then I would be moving old Minnesota after Marty left so they could have a fresh spot to fish, where the hammer and I would join them for the evening before having a fish fry. No sooner then I left and Joe landed a 37 inch pike on his tip up.
I knew it was a fishy spot.
Once I got them checked into old Minnesota I headed back out to move florida as Bob and Rick would be rolling in sunday.
I get back to old minnesota and the hammer says why did you move house if it was catching fish and Jonny says why did you not move over there. I told them the spot was great night spot. Wink. wink.
A hour later I go check on north Dakota and Joe catch's his first upper red lake walleye. . We then went home for a fish fry . We go back out and bam Joe gets his second and third walleye on the rattle wheel. The green genze worm comes through again.
They packed up yesterday with there 6 fish so that was nice to see. The guys in north Dakota ended up catching 20 or so.
Last night I headed out to check on bob and rick and again the dead sea. Stupid fish. Around 10 pm rick got a keeper we lost at the hole and then another small scuffit was caught which is a good sign of a elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie so I'm crossing my fingers they had a little action after I came home. Well it looks like a beautiful day to work on such a grand lake time to hit the ice for the 60th day in a row
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Well the rest of the season I will not get up in the morning thinking its going to be a easy , gravy day. There is no such thing when your battling mother nature, mechanical breakdowns, getting taxes done, etc.
Sunday morning getting reorganized and meeting Jimbo on the lake I had him do a couple propane's while I gathered all the things necessary to move montana over by florida. Not having the red baron I would have to give blue thunder a little bit more of a work out and utilize the road system I had created.
Sunday morning getting reorganized and meeting Jimbo on the lake I had him do a couple propane's while I gathered all the things necessary to move montana over by florida. Not having the red baron I would have to give blue thunder a little bit more of a work out and utilize the road system I had created.
Once we had montana dug out I had no choice but to pull it from one side as one of the hooks had broken off earlier this year. My weld job lasted over12 years and a new hook is on the summer project list. I headed north and looped around where the snow had drifted in a bit and tried to power through but there was just to much snow and I came to a stop. A little digging and we were on our way again.
The spot I picked looked very fishy and again because of the broken hook I put the house in a pickle that will have to be dealt with when we move again. I guess that's what happens when you try and speed up the process. Made me think of cousin Pete my mentor take your time slow and steady.
We fire up the auger and start to drill and the blades are dull again. ERR! Not sure what happen as they were less then a month old. We put a new set on and she now cuts like a butter knife through butter. I have 20 sets of strikmaster lazer blades. At 50 dollars a pop I have a 1000 dollars worth of blades and need to research how to get them re sharpened.
We then jumped over to florida and popped out those holes into the dirty, rough ice which is probably why my blades get dull so fast.
Bob and Rick rolled in I got them checked in and headed over to old Minnesota where a little prep work needed to be done for Ole arrival on Monday.
Jimbo would be checking in Jason and Whitney Monday as I had a appointment in Bemidji.
Its soo crazy that I have run out of time to finish my report as I have to race to Bemidji to pick up a gas tank for blue thunder this morning so this is all for today as I'm out of time to be continued......
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Cookie, Red Rock in Ely can sharpen them. Check out the web site.
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Cookie,I suspect you drilled holes where someone's truck dropped a chunk of road salt/sand on the spot you picked,happens all the time if ya don't kick the snow away down to the ice late season,pretty sure you don't have top soil blowing off shore on url dulling lazer's like in north dakota,thats the down side of devils lake and surrounding area lakes.
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not quite cookie puts his houses wher the only traffic is him. url had heavey winds prior to freez up. and is still murkey because if it saying he drop on fender bergs is way off, cause im up there with him almost every weekend. dosent compute. i think his pitch is off on his flighting, been bangd around in blue thunder to long. cookie finds fresh indisturbed ice every weekend.
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I'm not sure what creates the dirty ice. The ice breaks up from the wind and seems to capture the dirt blowing across the lake? The spot I had kevin and rollie a few weeks ago was full of it and looks like cigarette ash when your drilling? yesterday when I moved florida I picked some up and its real slimy almost like a fine mold? Back in the crappie craze when you found it it was money. I had my little Colorado house on it once and we must of caught 500 out of that house in that same spot. It got so drifted in you had to walk to it the last 50 yards as that was way before I had a vplow. When Rick caught a walleye on that spot Monday morning chunks of broken ice came up the hole also. The only other thing as Marty used the auger and he may of leaned on it way to hard?
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or that.... :rotflmao:
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All right I thick I have a window to finish this long winded fishing /work report.
Sunday evening when I got home from pool I headed out to check on Rick and Bob in florida. Here I expected a great fishing report only to be disappointed again, Stupid fish,
Monday morning I headed out again to check on the guys and get what I could get done before we had to go to the tax man.
Ole would be arriving later in the day and fishing in old Minnesota where rick, bob and I would join him to visit and wet a line. Rick said they were marking fish all the time but they just refuse to bite in florida.
We ended up catching 2 16 inch keepers with ole and headed back to florida with the hammer meeting me so we could go play a little poker with bob and rick. Rick lost one at the hole while we were there, then about 10 oclock I hit that wall and called it quits for the night.
I did check in on Jason and Whitney where it was slow all though she did get too battle and land a mid 30s pike. They come back next week so lets hope the fishing is better for them.
Tuesday morning when I hit the lake the winds were just howling out of the north north west. And I mean howling. I had taken the hammers trail blazer out as I had found a major gas leak on blue thunder. The road to florida and montana was fine but the turn was filling in. Then where I put montana the drifting in front of the house was piling up which would make extra work when I went to move it yesterday. I knew I created a pickle when I put it there.
Rick and Bob are old hunting high school buddies and are plans were to meet at my place around noon to go check out a hunting spot. Bob called and said the turn in the road was bad. I told them just kick the snow around and barrel threw? OOPS. The winds were blowing so hard that the snow drifts had all ready become rock hard and you could walk right over the top of them and a very fine snow to boot. mean while I'm here at the house pulling out the gas tank on blue thunder. I went up to North Country food and fuel where I barrowed Franks plow so I could go open the corner and get Bobs car un stuck.
We got back home where I sent bob and rick to check out the hunting spot while I continued to rip out the tank on blue thunder.
Ole pulled in to say he was headed home with two fish. stupid fish
Bob and Rick also only had two and two nice perch. They also decided to head home.
I headed back out around 4 to check on Jason and Whitney and clean old Minnesota and florida. I get to florida just as the sun is setting and catch 2 walleyes back to back while Jason also landed one in montana just as it was getting dark.
Yesterday I was off to Bemidji too get new gas tank so I did not get to say good by to Jason and Whitney . I arrived back home and with Jimbos help we got the new tank in with only a couple slight problems.
Then off we went to move old minesota, north Dakota, florida and montana. The first two went real well but when we got to montana I had to cut a trail in front of the house. I decide to drive off in the distance where my old road was to check it out for the move and hit a few frozen ruts under the snow from when we had the January thaw. We had removed one of the tire chains as it had broken on the way out. Blue thunder needs new shocks as every bump you feel. After over 60 days on the ice i'm sick of feeling them so I was going slow and ended up putting my front wheels in a refrozen rut and at the same time my rear wheels and just like that I was stuck. ERRR! Jimbo had to bah haw over to me and give me a tug. We then got back to work and after plowing a trail to turn around we had both house on the road and out of there perches.
I headed home with the plow down and a spectacular upper red lake sunset in my rear view window. Insert picture?
Today I have a ton of work to do so no dilly dallying for me.
Casey and his crew arrive for north Dakota and Warren arrives for old Minnesota. Tomorrow Jim has Florida and they are bringing friends with a wheel house to fish by them Vance is alos doing the same thing but they have a couple wheel house coming with them. HMMM?" I see a pattern here".
Sunday we have family coming. Shell chick and her crew.
Then Dave rolls in Monday.
Jason and his family come Tuesday, Wednesday for florida and montana .
Mike the musician comes wed ,Thursday and I'm going to do my best to play a little harmonica with them this time.
Then just like that and its the final weekend of game fish and I head off in the sunset to look for the elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie on the grandest lake of all lakes, that just keeps pumping out fantastic memories ,laughter, shenanigans, adventures, good friends new and old.
I truly love this lake and it really makes me miss my grandma Olga today." Insert picture of here" feeding the bear cubs in her yard. I can here her now EWWWI "Imagine That"
One last thought . When Liam our great grandson comes up here this year it will be 7 generations fishing here. I think grandma would be so proud.
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Casey , Dave, Andrew and Josh rolled in Thursday and wasted no time getting unloaded and heading out to look for the elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies. They would be hitting some areas that we have done well in the past and in turn may help me get a starting point on my quest to find the mother load. I'm kinda old school and still go by land marks and depths more then gps spots. From there you have to look for other things as they never seem to stay in one spot as they are on a quest to fatten up for the spawn. Its all about survival for fish as its eat or be eaten and make more fish. Mother nature is a amazing thing. A couple things I have noticed over the years, when you catch little walleye 8 to 10 inches that has always been a good starting point. It may have something to do with the food chain I imagine. We also seem to tie in to big pike on crappie jigs?
My brother from Chicago also arrived Thursday eve so I would be hosting him for a few days as he was in old Minnesota. It was great having him here. We were able to fish together Thursday eve and also sunday evening . I even caught a couple fish for a fish fry Saturday as my good friend Boar can attest to. Warren also got to land two nice pike both on the tried and true Genze worm. Not sure why they like that little snowman shaped lure but they sure do like them tipped with a minnow. He headed home yesterday with there 6 fish so that was nice.
Jim and Jake rolled into florida Friday . They also had some friends with a wheel house Eric, Jennifer and Rick so I had a spot all plowed for them. It started off very slow for them but Saturday night sunday morning did pick up and they managed to catch a few fish. Jennifer was on fire and even landed a goldeneye that Eric would be smoking.
Lance had Monatna reserved for a couple friends and they also had two wheel houses with them. Grant, Mary, Donna and Lee. They were old friends and customers of Spider Johnsons. Lance had a 21 foot ice castle that they had stained a dark chocolate color and I really liked how it turned out. I also killed the exterior blue of lee's house, a midnight blue. I was so disappointed in the fishing in that spot and just do not understand how 20 fish can be caught 150 feet away and narly a bite where they were. Stupid fish.
Casey and his crew did find a couple elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies and got stuck on that area and never explored any other spots that I know of. They also managed to get plenty of walleyes in that area so were able to have a fish fry both Friday and Saturday night.
The dnr were out and about both Friday and Saturday night. They come in like gang busters? I guess it makes sense to catch people cheating with unattended lines, or fishing with to many lines. I know if I see something my customers are doing wrong I do speak up. I just assume they have there licenses and always try and explain the eating fish on the lake rules.
Sunday was a day to say goodbye and hustle to get Montana and florida moved and reset for Shell chick, Jeff, Marty and Shell. My good friend boar was helping me out this weekend so we had them fishing in no time even after a 3 mile move.
The hammer would be joining here sister shell chick to fish sunday eve while I would be spending time in old minesota with me brother. The hammer was up to her old tricks and landed a elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. Shell chick got in to the action and also landed one, plus they also landed a few keeper walleyes.
Mean while Marty and Shell less then 150 feet away could not buy a fish? Stupid fish.
Mother nature turned her ugly side again sunday eve into all day yesterday except this time it was warm and rain. It was enough to spook Shell chick and Jeff to head home a day early while my good friend and ex helper Marty would stick it out there and keep a eye on the conditions and the houses.
I scrambled with Jimbo"s help to get old Minnesota, north Dakota and North Carolina moved as water was starting to go down the holes making them bigger. I also had Dave and his crew coming for north Dakota. I was amazed when I went onto the lake as 99 percent of the snow was gone, yes gone, all turned to water in less then 12 hours. I'll know a lot more today as I came off the lake at 3.
I did talk to Marty a couple time and every thing seems ok .Dave has not called so they also must be ok.
I'll try and give a lake up date later today. I expect a lot of water has drained under the ice after seeing that water draining down the holes like a toilet being flushed. One year I came out the next day and all the water was gone in 12 hours?
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i had a great time with ya cookie! thanks for.all you did! ole's cabin was awsome and very comfy one we figured out the heat, lol. i greatly aprreciate andnthank you for bringing me in your way of life. meeting your brother warren was a pleasure, i thought we hit it off great. shell chick and jeff are very cool, hope to ride bikes with them some time! thanks coomie youre a great freind.!!
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Well its been a interesting few days to say the least. The main thing were all the fishermen and customers were safe as well as the houses The standing water on the lake started to find more areas to drain causing a fishing frenzy for Marty and his wife shelly Monday night. The mother load swam right under marty and shell and boy did they have fun. They caught more then a few elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies.
Mean while Dave and his crew stood outside and managed to land 11 yes 11 elusive upper red lake crappies fishing in the rain. They also did real well on the walleye fishing with Kyle landing his first ever walleye.
Tuesday morning I was off to the dentist early then arrived back home to say good by to marty and shell. I was going crazy to get back on the lake and see what the conditions were like.
Closer to shore and most of the water has had drained down the cracks and holes. The biggest hole I have found so far was where old minnesota was and is about 20 inches wide.
Driving out to Montana and Florida I stayed to the right of the road to conserve the road. I have a hard time driving by liter so a couple stops were made . I few wood blocks, a couple pop cans, a beer bottle. All and all not to bad as I have seen a lot worse over the years.
Buddy Hillmens bridge is in good shape.
Getting the skid houses over the pressure ridge is still possible and Buddy has started bringing some of his customers house's home as well as one or two of his own. He has a special way of towing them over and was nice enough to call me when they were in the process of bringing one across so I could observe there system compared to how I got old Minnesota and north Dakota across two weeks ago. Man did that way work well as I pulled a old house from the past over with his system with no problems.
Trying to bring north Dakota and old Minnesota back out may not be a option though .
Every year I chase the mother load of the elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie but this year I may have to get montana and florida back over the pressure ridge rather then taking the whole fleet back out there. Common sense needs to prevail on this decision . I was planning on spending some quality time napping and fishing in old Minnesota but time and mother nature will tell how it pans out.
Jake and his crew are still planning on coming in march and I see no reason we will have any problems looking for the mother load as there's still plenty of ice out there.
Out where montana and florida are there's still some standing water but nothing like it was on Tuesday. With the cold temps coming back every thing should tighten back up in the next day or two.
I have a big crew with my son John coming today for the final weekend of game fish season. They have florida, montana and North Carolina plus the cabin.
I was in the process of hauling north Carolina out there yesterday when I remembered Jeff mentioned the ceiling fan was loose . I stopped to check it out and its hanging by one wire? For some reason I have 4 screw drivers in my tool box and not one of them is a phillip's so I had to leave the house where it was un tell I can get out there this morning and secure it.
As The temps drop we should be in good shape for the final weekend. Buddy hillmens road withstood what mother nature had to offer .
The good news is the red baron is repaired. Its just 50 miles away and I will not be able to go pick it up un tell some time tomorrow.
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Well another game fish season has came to a end. The dnr will be having a meeting this week in Kellier to discuss the up and coming open water season.. I be leave our cabins are wide open with narly a date penciled in this summer including opener?
Grab a cup of java because this is going to be a long blog.
The first thing is what a great ending to another game fish season .
The biggest thing and this come from my heart is" Thank you" to all my new and repeat customers . With out all of you I would not be able to enjoy working on such a grand lake. When that old timer Dave shared that with me I was in Awe. "Its a grand lake and it owes me nothing, nothing was his quote and boy did that stick.
The walleye fishing this year could of been better. I'm all most to the point of calling them the elusive upper red lake walleye?
Just like every season for 14 years now we have had great fishing, good fishing and poor fishing. I guess its the luck of the draw when you come up. We caught a couple,, we caught some and we caught a few over the season. The fishermen have become a little more tight lip about there walleye catches over the last couple years. Its so funny when You ask a fishermen how they did. The ponder and say oh we got a few? I've always been like how many is a few? Its always well we got 18? To me a few is 3, a couple is two and some can be 1 or more.
The dnr will be releasing a summery of what's happening on the lake in the next upper red lake association news letter. If your interested in joining and becoming a member its 25 dollars a year or 50 if you want your business listed on there web site.
I have a few gripes I want to share also. Some you will have to read between the lines.
The first thing is Saturday night I was coming off of the lake on Hillmens highway. Buddy Hillmen is so dedicated to his road and there is no one prouder when it comes to maintaining a ice road.
As I was coming on to the landing a big wheel house turned off the highway. I new right away they did not pay 10 dollars and there's a sign right there that says 10 dollars. I rolled down my window and he was like wow I did not know where to pay. Where do you pay? He had no problem finding the access but did not see the lights on in the bar with a few vehicles there? Give me a break.
Kelly, Buddy Hillmens mechanic got 3 Thursday night pulling in. If you can not afford 10 dollars a day for your wheel house ? I personally think wheel houses should have to pay more?
I also had a few customers that tried to slide by this year and its very frustrating . The deal I have with buddy hillmen is I can use his access and in turn my customers have to pay 10 dollars a day. I'm on call 24 hours a day for any ice road work ,plowing, bridging, etc.
Over the years I have been accused of fishing where some one was going to go? fishing on some ones way points? Cutting someone off. Every year its something and again this year was no exception?
Any side roads I personally plow to my houses are always open. Do I want fishermen by my houses? Nope. My customers pay good money and I do not want them looking out the picture windows and seeing a wheel house 30 yards away. There is always plenty of room where I plow as I'm the rouge plower. I have no problem plowing out a driveway for a wheel house as it helps pay for my equipment as it takes a beating out there.
Its been a crazy season and its not over for me as I again chase the elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. to be continued
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day 2.
75 days on the lake and I'm still not ready to throw in the towel.
Jake and his crew will be coming again this year and he is pumped to chase the elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie.
Yesterday the hammer and I picked up the red baron so she/he is safely at home. I will attempt to put the v plow back on but since Barny redesigned it I have had trouble in the past putting it back on by my self.
Now for the last 6 days fishing report.
Mike and his crew rolled in Wednesday for there third trip of the season. I never got a g harmonica and Mike forgot his. Oh well always next year. They managed to get a few fish with most being caught early morning and evening.
Thursday I spent a good part of the day prepping Montana, Florida ,and north Carolina for my son Johnny boy and the people he works with . I was hoping they would arrive before dark. as its a long drive out where they would be fishing.
I also had some issues at home as Our pressure pump had rusted out. David was kind enough to come over and help as I had called around and they charge 98 dollars a hour plus 50 cents a mile to come from Bemidji.
I came off the lake around 4 pm and jumped in helping David. un tell the crew arrived.
They started to trickle in and by 6 30 pm as it was getting dark. 9 of them had arrived so we headed out for there fishing adventure. Driving blue thunder they followed me as it is close to a 30 minute drive. No sooner then I had them all checked in and Charlie and his family had arrived. There was no way I could give them directions so I headed home to escort them out. 1 hour later give or take a few minutes and I arrive back out there. There all ready having a grand time on a grand lake Joe, John and Sarha were in montana and had all ready caught a couple, 4 elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies. Joe ran over to florida to give the guys a couple tips and now they had some, 2. I checked Charlie into north Carolina ,walked back over to montana and Johnny says Dana and Dan our here and also want to come out.
Back to shore I go but this time I'm done with blue thunder and take honey bunny/the hammers truck backout. I arrive out there and there still catching when Charlie comes over and says there up to a few, 7 with his 5 year old daughter getting 5 in a row.
Then Randy comes over. Him and Tammy are up to 9 catching them on plastics.
Man were they all having a blast. So again the magic of upper red lake happens and a dozen people get to see and have the best fishing of there lives. I can see why David said it is a grand lake .
I said good night and rolled into bed just after midnight. Wow was that ever a long day.
Friday morning it was off to say good bye to Mike and his crew and move north Dakota on to fresh Ice for Don and his crews arrival. I also had to move old Minnesota and set up as Wayne ,The hammer and I had reserved it for the final weekend of game fish season. It took quite a bit of time trying to gather snow and in hindsight I should of just came to shore and piled some into the truck.
When Wayne is here boy to we have the yuks. He will sometimes give me some kind of advise and I will come back with hey this is not my first rodeo? Now he has commented that I may want a stool so I can see what's going on looking out of the barrel . So funny
Don and his crew arrived and had some lunch at westwind before met them on the ice. I got them checked in and headed home again to help our good friend david with the pressure tank. Wayne rolled in just about the time we got her buttoned up. Wayne and I headed out to fish in old Minnesota and have some more yuks. The hammer decided to stay home as it was all ready getting late. We managed to get two nice keepers while playing cards ,watching movies, etc..
Saturday morning I arranged to take a small wheel house out so I could let Don and his crew have a chance at a elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. I also hooked up with the wife cousin Rob to point him in the right direction.
Rob took directions well and landed on the mother load. Him and Corey said they were like school boys as the laughed and giggled and caught and released one after the other of these world class trophy fish. Rob said they kept 11 with a couple for the wall.
Saturday eve the hammer and I headed out to visit and fish with our son. Johnny boy said it was much slower and no more then 3 minutes there the hammer had a 14 incher with my fishing rod, custom built from my good friend Jake when he worked at thorn brothers.
While the hammer fished and visited I made the rounds. North Carolina was still catching fish with Maddison the 5 year old landing two trophies back to back right before I walked in.
Don,Troy and Travis? had caught a couple, 4 with a couple more lost at the hole.
We them headed back to Old Minnesota with Wayne to have steaks on the grill and more cards, fishing and again plenty of yuks.
Sunday morning I got out early as Wayne and I landed two more keeper walleyes and missed two fish working rattling raps dead sticking slick jigs.
Don and his crew headed home with 5 elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies and a few walleyes.
Johnnny boy, Joe and Sarha took home 9 crappies and a couple walleyes.
Not sure how many Zak and Riely, Eric and Steph kept,
Charlie had a pale full and also had a couple his daughter caught that are going on the wall.
Randy and tammy did well,
Dana and Dan were staying in the cabin. I think Dana and Dan did get to catch at least one.
So wow what a ending to the game fish season. I warned you this would be a long one as this year I have been so crazy busy I have not been able to stay on top of my reports.
Funny story when we got back yesterday I went out on the lake towards evening .I planned on just taWell another game fish season has came to a end. The dnr will be having a meeting this week in Kellier to discuss the up and coming open water season.. I be leave our cabins are wide open with narly a date penciled in this summer including opener?
Grab a cup of java because this is going to be a long blog.
The first thing is what a great ending to another game fish season .
The biggest thing and this come from my heart is" Thank you" to all my new and repeat customers . With out all of you I would not be able to enjoy working on such a grand lake. When that old timer Dave shared that with me I was in Awe. "Its a grand lake and it owes me nothing, nothing was his quote and boy did that stick.
The walleye fishing this year could of been better. I'm all most to the point of calling them the elusive upper red lake walleye?
Just like every season for 14 years now we have had great fishing, good fishing and poor fishing. I guess its the luck of the draw when you come up. We caught a couple,, we caught some and we caught a few over the season. The fishermen have become a little more tight lip about there walleye catches over the last couple years. Its so funny when You ask a fishermen how they did. The ponder and say oh we got a few? I've always been like how many is a few? Its always well we got 18? To me a few is 3, a couple is two and some can be 1 or more.
The dnr will be releasing a summery of what's happening on the lake in the next upper red lake association news letter. If your interested in joining and becoming a member its 25 dollars a year or 50 if you want your business listed on there web site.
I have a few gripes I want to share also. Some you will have to read between the lines.
The first thing is Saturday night I was coming off of the lake on Hillmens highway. Buddy Hillmen is so dedicated to his road and there is no one prouder when it comes to maintaining a ice road.
As I was coming on to the landing a big wheel house turned off the highway. I new right away they did not pay 10 dollars and there's a sign right there that says 10 dollars. I rolled down my window and he was like wow I did not know where to pay. Where do you pay? He had no problem finding the access but did not see the lights on in the bar with a few vehicles there? Give me a break.
Kelly, Buddy Hillmens mechanic got 3 Thursday night pulling in. If you can not afford 10 dollars a day for your wheel house ? I personally think wheel houses should have to pay more?
I also had a few customers that tried to slide by this year and its very frustrating . The deal I have with buddy hillmen is I can use his access and in turn my customers have to pay 10 dollars a day. I'm on call 24 hours a day for any ice road work ,plowing, bridging, etc.
Over the years I have been accused of fishing where some one was going to go? fishing on some ones way points? Cutting someone off. Every year its something and again this year was no exception?
Any side roads I personally plow to my houses are always open. Do I want fishermen by my houses? Nope. My customers pay good money and I do not want them looking out the picture windows and seeing a wheel house 30 yards away. There is always plenty of room where I plow as I'm the rouge plower. I have no problem plowing out a driveway for a wheel house as it helps pay for my equipment as it takes a beating out there.
Its been a crazy season and its not over for me as I again chase the elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. to be continuedking a quick look see . I ended up helping Buddy Hillmen as he wanted to move the bridge a couple feet forward. As we worked my toes got colder and colder as I was out there in tennis shoes and as wayne says. this ain't your first rodeo, you might want to get a stool so you can see out of that barrel
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great reports cookie..............i totally like enjoyed reading every one of them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :happy1: :happy1:
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6 days later and I have lost the mother load?
Stupid fish, I guess that why I coined them the elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie.
Monday we went and got the red baron and got her safely back home. Tuesday was spent cleaning all the houses.
Wednesday was the big moving day for old Minnesota as I prepaired it for the 7 mile journey back out with the rest of the fleet. The hammer wanted to bring here life long friend fishing Nancy fishing so my goal was to just get old Minnesota prepped. Crossing the crack/pressure ridge went well. The plan was to be fishing bye 5pm and I would cook dinner for the girls. Once we got out there with jimbo bringing a house out also we picked our spots. Jimbo was heading back to shore so I caught a ride with him to grab blue thunder. After fueling up I was heading out and darn if something did not break on blue thunder ? The right front wheel binded up and then broke loose, then binded up again and again broke loose. I really needed her too bank the house so I limped it out there and babied it as I banked the house.
The girls arrived right on time and we proceeded to get skunked. Oh oh I thought.
Thursday was a much needed trip to Bemidji for the day. With no pressure to race back home we were able to focus on a little shopping and having a nice lunch.
Friday morning and I was back to the grind, Jimbo had his mom Stef and here friend Marcy in one of his houses and they also struck out catching a elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie.
Old friends Joe and Brian would be trying out montana on the same spot the gang hammered on them last weekend.
Rick and Bob would be arriving for florida late Friday night so Friday I moved florida to a new spot quite always from where we had found them as they have defiantly moved.
Marty and shell had also arrived late Thursday night so Marty helped me hook up north Dakota and bring the last house back out 7 miles.
Our plan was to have dinner in old Minnesota and maybe find a elusive upper red lake crappie. We stuck out again.
Saturday morning with a few fishermen out there I made some rounds collecting access fees and getting a few fishing reports. The best I herd were 3.
Tyler from bear paw was also out and about as for the second year he is doing crappie guiding trips and he managed to find a small school and told me he /they caught 18.
Rick and Bobbie got a couple bites and did manage to loose one elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie at the hole.
With Joe and Brians help we dug out montana and I also moved them to a new spot. At this time I have to use blue thunder with only 2 wheel drive as something is broken in the front end. I did get my new tire chains so moving the houses is still possible. I'm not sure if I can move old Minnesota or North Dakota that way but we shall find out this week as I make one final move for the up and coming weekend.
What's nice about the crew coming up next weekend as they will spend all day Friday and Saturday searching for the mother load and the houses will be used for relaxing, eating and sleeping. I'll do my best to find a new fishy area before they arrive. Coming off the lake last night and I did talk to a gentleman named Bruce that had set up about 75 yards north east of old Minnesota and he said they got 4 last night? Stupid fish.
The road is still in great shape, last night the wind really started to howl out of the south and there was some impressive drifting out there considering there not much snow out there.
The last thing. I did make it to the fish meeting Thursday eve, I was quite impressed with the presentation on the health of the lake. they will be having a announcement on the open water season once it gets approved from headquarters.
They said they have a very unique citation as they have a lot of data collected over the years since recovery and can see trends with all there grafts and pie charts? They also pointed out how fast the fish grow with a good forage base and feel the lake is in great shape.
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Well again plan A turned into plan B.
After a disappointing weekend looking for the mother load of the elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies the plan was to move the fleet to the south east for Jake and his crew. Two days of 50 degree weather with winds had melted quite a bit of the snow and Sunday caused the pressure ridge to expand taking out the bridge in the process.
I had scouted out a plan B escape route just incase of this situation. All the wheel houses had gotten over the bridge but one so I escorted him on a long journey to the south only to discover that the area I had been crossing was broken on both side with open water 30 yards wide 6 feet deep. Zoiks!!!
We headed back to the bridge while Jimbo followed the pressure ridge to the north looking for a place we could safely cross. I was defiantly a little worried having all the houses still out there.
Jim ended up driving all the way to the north shore where he found a place to drive across. We headed that way to take a look. After getting the last wheel house safely across we took a good look at what was happening and I felt that this area was not going to move and we would be all right keeping the houses out . I then headed out and talked to a couple trucks that were still on the ice to let them know how to get off the lake.
As you followed the pressure ridge to the north it was quite the sight to see but it slowly fizzled out to just a crack with a little bump real close to the north shore where it fed into another ice heave that had expanded and runs along the north shore east and west. That also was very active..
Every where around the pressure ridges there was open water. Some areas the water was 8 feet deep with open water 20 feet from the pressure ridge. Now with the crazy winds and snow, plus the cold temps these areas may refreeze. I would say these spots are very dangerous to say the least.
Monday morning seeing the predicted weather forecast I made the decision we needed to come home.
Man that was the right call as the warm weather and winds sunday eve had melted and pushed gallons and gallons of water across the lake to the south east into the pressure ridge.All of the old roads were completely filled with standing water. I would say some areas the water had to be 14 to 16 inches deep. There were also areas that had to be 40 acers of water if not more.
We grinded away and slowly made our way back home with each house. There was one spot where a small stream of water was flowing under the ice heave.
The last trip out I wanted to pull Buddy hillmens bridge out of the water so it would not freeze. There was also another bridge that needed to be pulled home so we would have to make the long journey around to retrieve that one. We decided we would go get Jimbo's house then come back on Hillmens road where we could collect stakes ,orange cones, liter etc.
Well again plan A turned into plan B. Here comes a Toyota truck with two guys. They want to know how to get to there wheel house still on the lake. The only option they had was to follows us. I could then escort them to the corner at 4 miles where they could drive up that old road . When we arrived at that corner it was a lake on a lake. I stayed there while they went to retrieve the house. After a bit I could tell they were having trouble and I headed over to help them. I quick jerk with blue thunder and we were on our way . Once we got back on Hillmen's road where it was running east and west there was not much water on the road as the berm to the south was holding it back.. Once we crossed the crack for the last time it was a huge relief as who knows what that wind and snow may have done out there.
As we were traveling towards shore the sky to the west was the most spectacular grey/ blue I have ever seen. Mother nature at her finest My phone was dead so I could not try and capture it but Jimbo also noticed it. It only lasted a couple of minutes but I will always hold a vivid image of that in my mind. Again a spectacular sight on such a grand lake.
Monday evening and man did things change. The winds picked up, the temps dropped and it was a full blown blizzard out there all day Tuesday right into the evening and right into yesterday for a better part of the day. The 3 to 6 inches of snow never happened but what snow we did get is piled into the shore lines. There were a few locals that live on the lake and had to be plowed out. Jana's daughter cars is completely buried as the snow came around there house and made the perfect drift. Marks wheeler was also buried. Our lake shore has some impressive drifts going through the woods.
Last weekends fishing report? There were a few elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies caught. My Two houses florida with old friends Joe and Brian and montana with Rick and Bobby were not so lucky. All though Bobby did loose one at the hole.
I heard of 30 caught but that was a group of 8 guys for 3 days, Randy and Tammy had the kids up. Travis, Taylor and Heather. They managed to get 7 for 3 days with one move. Another guy got two . A local set up about 50 yards from me to the north east and they got 4 Saturday night. His name was Bruce. Very nice guy. He has a cabin up here and plans on retiring here in a couple more years'
Well that's about it for now. I expect I will be taking a look around the next week or two but have no plans of chasing the elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie unless I'm very confident that its safe.
I know one thing as you do not want to get even any where close to any of those pressure ridges that rest of the year. There was also areas of standing water. The temps have glazed them over and when you break though them you are hung up with no way of digging out of ice chunks and knee deep water with out a tow.
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crazy run for you, wow!!
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Yep, You would think I would learn. We had to cancel our get together with jake tell next year ,
It was a crazy year, battling mother nature is tough and impossible to beat. She still at it. The snow down at the lake in the woods is un real. 6 foot drifts running through the trees. There will be snow down there on opener? Its so compacted in there you can walk on top of it.
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that really is packed!!
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Stupid weather, This global warming?
Anyways Randy, Nick and Richard were here Friday, Saturday and did not do so well. The winds were a factor with a strong wind out of the west Friday and a strong nw wind Saturday. I suggested they go launch at beacon harbor and they could possibly get out of the 4 foot rollers. The fishing was horrible with a couple sheephead landed and one scuffit walleye.
I had talked to Ray and Jim on Thursday and they said the fishing was real good.
I guess I'm not sure what happens to the bite when the wind stirs up the lake. Are the fish full from stacking up on the windblown side? Or do they just not see your bait when it get stirred up? I've caught fish trolling along the break in 3 foot waves? Trolling after the water get way stirred up I have caught a couple over the years but is that because the bait went right by there nose?
The kids are coming up this weekend as were going to re stucco the small cabin and paint. The plan is to get out and do a little fishing.
The wife said some guys came in the store the other day and had did real well on island lake. So That's always a option if the wind is blowing.
Other then family coming up the cabins are wide open the rest of the summer.
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Well a few interesting things to write about.
We had a bear running around Waskish for a couple weeks. From the story I heard he was caught ? Yep, a local had a raccoon trap in his yard and the bear put his tongue in it. I guess its a tube that you stuff marshmallows in. I'm not sure if that the first bear ever trapped by his tongue.
Talk to Steve, He said Tyler was hammering them. 6 feet of water?
Rodgers had a good fishing report also
From the sounds of it the fish are cooperating between 6 and 8 feet of water.
Weather wise lets just say brrrrr. I had 3 layers on yesterday when I was mowing at work. The plan is to wet a line this weekend if the weather cooperates.
The cabins are wide open the rest of the summer at this time.It seems every year it slows down up here after the 4th. The big pike should be turning on .Speed trolling is the trick and if your catch one with a black and orange salmo its mine.
Hillmen's has there softball tournament coming up the last weekend of June. They are still looking for teams so if there's any team out there that wants to play I can host a team here for lodging. If your young they play tackle football in the mud pit Saturday evening after softball and it is quite the sight to see. They also play beer ball Friday evening and that is always a hoot.
Last thing is this weekend is the street machine nationals at the st paul fairgrounds. Back in the 80s The hammer and I stumbled upon them when we were cruising around in my 340 duster and man did we have a good time sitting down by the fair grounds watching all the cars coming and going. We found a stop light and just set there all evening
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The hammer ,our god friend wayne and I goy out sunday for a bit of fishing.
Wayne had the hot hand landing 7 walleyes , 2 sheepheads and one nice mid 30s pike that cleared the water on one jump. I heard 2 guys had there 8 with two just over 18. Frank at north country food and fuel said he talked to a couple guys that also did real well.
Justin Shane? Bob Baily and Kyle got 5 Friday but the wind got the best of them Saturday. They came up to cut down a few trees for me and stayed down at the lake.
There’s a few things coming up Hillmens has there softball tournament coming up at the end of the month. I could find enough bed to host a team. Again Saturday eve they play a very mean game of tackle football in the mud pit that is always a hoot to watch.
westwind will be hosting there second annual corn hole tournament limited to 32 teams the first weekend of august. They also have some live music in there bar Friday night.
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Hey Cookie. What happened to that bear with the tongue in the trap? Man would that just hurt like heck if he had to pull his tongue out with those barbs holding it in. Been wondering about that.
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good question
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The dnr allowed them to shoot it being it had been running around waskish for a couple weeks
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Wow where did the month of July go? I guess its that old adage when your having fun time fly’s by.
The lake is low this year as we are in a semi drought in this area. Our good friends Bob and Rick came up this past weekend so we got out Friday eve when I got home from work. We drove past the ball fields on our way to launch the boat and Hillmens were getting ready to start there game of beer ball and it look like they were having a nice turn out for that.
We headed straight out to deeper water 12 feet where we trolled spinners and ended up picking up 7 nice keeper, a couple sheephead and one small pike. Not bad for just a couple hours of fishing.
Saturday we were in no hurry to fish so we went and had breakfast at westwind before heading out.
This time it was a bit windier so we decided to drift around the same area we had fished the night before. The first drift we had a double and things looked promising. We only needed five more fish for a 3 limits. I ended up getting a fat 19 and we missed a few fish. A couple more sheephead were caught before we had our 5 keepers.
Coming in I saw Tyler when we were pulling up to our dock and Tyler had said they did real good Saturday morning in 13 feet of water.
Danny from outdoor authority was up for the softball tournament and landed a 29 inch walleye Thursday or friday
After dinner we went and watched the mud football. This year they only had two girl teams of 4 and 2 guy teams of 4. Every year different . I remember one year there were at least 8 teams and they played tell dark.
After the games we went over to Hillmens bar tall tavern where they had a outside band and enjoyed some music.
Sunday Bob and Rick headed home and I went and watched the softball . They had 7 teams this year.
The blue berry were a bust this year so I never got my 12 pints and will have to wait another year.
My friends Tim and Kim rolled in last night and are staying a couple days so I hope they can get a few fish.
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The fishing has been pretty good the last week or two. There not jumping in the boat but we have been able to scratch out a few limits with out fishing all day long.
Wayne , Kellie the Hammer and I got out Saturday for a couple hours and kept 6. We missed way more then we caught.
I’m not quite ready for summer to fade away so I guess I’m hoping we have another nice fall like last year..
It has been pretty dry up here this year and the lake is low. The tamarac river has next to no flow.
The bear hunters have started baiting. I got to see 4 bucks in velvet all together last week I’ve seen 3 before but never 4 so that was cool.
We may go fishing again Thursday and Saturday
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We have been short handed at the golf course Oak Harbor Golf course so I have been working all most everyday.
I had the treat of seeing a bull moose on the way to work so that was a sweet. He crossed a dirt road right in front of me.
Buddy Hillmen is building a new fish house and its huge. Two stories, 14 by 28 I be leave.Its quite the sight to see. Looks like most of us that rent fish houses are starting to do the pre season prep work.
The reservation book is ready. As I always tell customers that I start taking reservation around hunting season.
The greek was here for a couple of days passing through from Alaska. We were able to get in a couple rounds of golf and had a hoot.
bob and Rick will be up to do some work on our deer trails and stands. My plan is to again try and take a deer with me recurve bow. I up graded to carbon arrows so I been doing a little shooting to get ready. I have a new spot to hunt this year and need bob and ricks help to get set up. The grouse hunting has been getting a little better as the leafs are falling off some of the lower brush and trees.
The fall colors were spectacular this year.
I still plan on doing a little more fishing as my friend Pat may be coming up next week with Jeff and his son coming up around the 21rst. So there may be a fishing report in the future, if the weather cooperates.
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So I just spent 40 minutes writing a blog and my finger hit something o this phone and lost it. Error. So here's the scoop all the resorts are allowi g wheelers out 6 to 8 inches of ice. For every 50 fishermen on the South shore there's 5 on this end so better reports down there just lime every year. Friends walk out of west wind last weekend and got there 12 keepers but it took them a better part of the day. I also heard from another guy that did real well out of Hillmans on his secret spot . Also talk to 3 guy's last weekend thank hot skunked. Hoping for our home computer back by tomorrow
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Oh k here goes again short and sweet. Lonnie and his crew got there 12 yesterday out of hillmens.adam and Colton got there 8 also out of Hillman. James Brit ,katlym and Cody got 14 out of West wing. Devon and the grand kids have made progress on blue thunder and now have both differentials out and installing blue thunder 1 onto blue thunder 2. Old minnesota is repaired with James help as I'm a horrible carpenter. My new used truck is stranded in Fargo with a blown radiator. Any one want to barterr to get it home.?
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let me make a few calls cookie
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so here’s the scoop , as most fishermen know most of the resorts up here started letting wheeler and sleds out on the lake last weekend. That does not mean you can go any where you want as the winds have shifted the ice a couple times and opened up a few cracks . Check with the resort you access and stay in the areas that have been checked out.
The fishing has been pretty good.
I have had a few projects that were put off untell I got laid off from the golf course and mother nature again made my projects more challenging. I’m making progress slow and steady and maybe this time I have learned my lesson not to put these off when its 70 and sunny. Chasing breaking 80 at the golf course has got me processed.
From the looks of it there a good chance we will have all our sleepers on the lake by the 7th of dec.
My plans are again to go out of Hillmens resort and help Buddy hillmen with his road. He has built a 2 story house that may or may not be on the lake as its huge, I think it can sleep 8 to 10. Its crazy big 14 by 28.
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well we finally got our home computer back so it sure is nice to be able to type again instead of using the phone.
The wind were wicked Monday night but by the looks of it this side of the lake held together so that's real good news.
Lonnie and his buddy braved the winds yesterday and headed out ,they managed to get 7 of there 8 but it was a tougher bite then last time they were here on Saturday.
This weekend is going to be crazy up here as I have had quite a few inquirers about lodging on shore. Buddy Hillmen may have something but he is tough to get a hold of as he is busy building that mammoth house.
We ran into a hiccup on blue thunder and have a part we can not get off to replace. I'm hoping Tom can come over and button it up. as Devon worked his butt off to get er done. You could see the disappointment in his eyes, Blue thunder is my work horse and I'm feeling the pressure of getting her up and running..
Our new used lake truck may show up sunday if all goes well. Its name is Cheyanne "I think that's spelled right. It blew a radiator in fargo and is arriving on a trailer .
Old Minnesota is the only house that I have not detailed as I also had some major work on her that was ignored while I was trying to break 80 at the golf course this summer. Every one have a great thanksgiving and if your coming up here make sure you check in the resort your going out of as they have been on the ice everyday
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Not even sure where to start? As quite a few fishermen may know we had a tragedy here on upper red lake this past weekend. A young couple Zeth and Melissa lost there lifes doing what it looked like they loved to do from pictures and comments I have seen and heard of the couple.
I'm a little different then most guys and I can become a little more emotional then others and I will flat out say I have shed a few tears and am choking up right now as it breaks my heart. I have read a couple of post out loud to the hammer My wife and can not get them out with out tearing up..
Facebooks Ice Fishing Minnesota has a post where you can post a fishing picture in there honor. what a beautiful tribute in my opinion.
It turns out that Zeth was from Stacy Minnesota. My wife's sister shell chick lives in Stacy. I raised our family in Wyoming Minnesota just down the road from there. My helper from years ago Tony had played softball with Zeth as a team mate and against him. Mark works with his dad. Renea son was best friends with him, Bob's daughter's boyfriend was a friend . Paul had just talked to him. Its such a small world sometimes.
Melissa brother posted a story about spotting a couple dark objects on the lake that led him to the recovery site. The dark spot were two eagles, When we had my grandma Olga's funeral here in waskish there were eagles flying over the church.
The hammer does not want me going on the lake at this time, I feel very confident to venture out but just like every year I stay back un tell I can drive blue thunder on the ice. Once I'm on the lake I could possible be out there close to 100 days in a row so I'm never in that big of a hurry ,plus my mentor, cousin Pete who has lived here all his life and was best friends with my dad has always said slow and patient, don't be in a hurry, that how things get broken. By the way my father died in a car accident heading home from waskish in 1978. I never got to here all the stories he had of his stomping grounds up here as a teenager. I can only imagine as he was a daredevil as he raced figure 8s in Colorado when I was a kid. I know they use to water ski up and down the tamarac river and try and sling shot each other into the reeds. I have also heard a few car stories but will not share as I do not want to give any one any ideas.
I had a close call or two on this lake . When I was 6 I was on the lake with my cousin Stan and my sister when we ran out of gas and a storm blew in. We lost both oars and were at the mercy of the wind and the waves. We had no clue we were in danger un tell a rescue boat retrieved us.
Mother nature can be extra wicked up here as I have blogged over the years as well as summer,
I try and request a prayer every year in church that all the fishermen and workers on the lake have a safe season. Do to the circumstances of what happen I would rather not share any fishing reports for a few days. I'm not even sure how I'm going to feel when I do get on the lake. As Dave the old timer told me ITS A GRAND LAKE AND IT OWES ME NOTHING NOTHING
May you rest in peace Zeth and Mellisa, and I'm so so sorry
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well said cookie.
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Well said Cookie. Very sad situation. :sad: :cry: RIP Zeth & Melissa Prayers sent. Beat me to it mike
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prayers to the family, such a sad tradgedy.
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As Dave the old timer told me ITS A GRAND LAKE AND IT OWES ME NOTHING NOTHING
I think all of our equipment and technology gives us the false impression that we've got this man vs. nature thing licked. So much so that I'll bet most people don't give it any thought.
My GPS will point the way.
My ATV will carry me anywhere.
My cell phone has service to call for help from everywhere.
If I get hurt, the doctors can patch me up.
Ice is the big equalizer. It is unforgiving and if you go through alone, you rarely get a second chance.
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Well its looks like I have to chime in a bit of the conditions on our end of the lake. Upper red lake is a huge body of water and freezes up different every year. One year it glazed over in one night and the ice was so smooth I could of put on ice skates and skated all the way to gilbar on the north shore which I would say is 5 miles away.
This year as the shore line was slowing making ice we got very cold temps with a nnw wind. Each wave would hit the ice pack and some water would spray into the air where it would ice up or lets say turn into snow. By morning it was ice as far as the eye could see. It stayed cold and the wind died down a bit . I couple days later another big wind came more winds from the wsw and again pounded ice into the eastern side of the lake. That why the water is or was so stirred up underneath. Some ice broke up further out and was driven under and over the ice making shelf ice where it could be twice as thick. As far as I know the ice pack on our end never broke loose from shore quite a ways out and we kept making ice. Even though it was warn down in the cites one day there was a 25 degree difference they were at 40 and we were at 15. Opening deer season was a week of cold, cold, cold. If I remember one night it was 8 below.
I'm very confident that we have plenty of ice on this corner of the lake. No wheelers, or sleds have broken through on this end that I have heard of. Buddy hillmen of hillmens resort has staked his road out quite a ways "miles". same with westwind and beacon harbor. There was a crack out at 3 miles that did separate but the wind drove it back together and made quite a pile of stacked ice out 3 miles. Westwind and hillmens is requesting know one try and jump or travel over it. Is the ice 100 percent safe, No it never is. Common sense is a must, If it does not look right its probably not right.
I have had a few fishermen here and they all have measured 9 to 10 inches of ice. The area I plan on scoping out today could have 11 ? The fishing has been pretty darn good with pink and gold shining. One day they want jigging the next day dead stick. This end is allowing wheelers, sleds and side by side out to the pressure ridge around 2.5 to 3 miles. There's plenty of fish and space, there is no reason to venture any further. Just use good common sense.
If you do choose to come up check in with the resorts, they have been on the ice every day
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Here at my place I'm making progress for the up and coming ice fishing season. Slow and steady. The fleet keeps getting bigger .We now have the red baron running great "Knock on wood" all though it does need a couple parts. He does not go on the lake right away so were good for now.
Blue thunder went from what I assumed was a little job to remove and replacing the whole front differential, We were able to remove a different one from the original blue thunder 1. Blue thunder 1 was a heavy duty 3/4 ton and even though we thought it was the same one major part was different. The steering arm was shaped just a little different . It took 5 saw blades and a small tank of acetylene to remove it. Then we realized the u-joint was shot so that had to be replaced and the left axle had to come out. He is all put back together now . I also picked up a new set of rear shocks to match the new front ones. Looks like there will be some more torching to remove them, but that's to be expected when your dealing with a 33 year old truck.
The new edition is another chevy we nick named White lightning aka Cheyanne. He is a she and needs a new radiator . Then once she is on the road we will deal with any other issues that may arrive.
The old dodge prospector is in the woods for now .It may be time to say goodbye but will see.
There may also be a runner vehicle in the future but we will know more later on.
We did have a couple cancelation for this weekend due to the tragedy last week which I completely understand as no ice is completely safe. Buddy Hillmen has been on the ice every day since she locked up and has traveled around quite a bit watching and keeping notes of any thing that may concern him. He has his road staked out to about 3 miles where he does not recommend any one traveling past the pressure ridge that formed. It heads to the north where it turns and heads west north west. I did venture out on the ice yesterday just to check where I would like to start the season and found 12 inches with a little less the further you go west where I never found any ice under 10. I also talk to a few fishermen and they were catching a couple that's slang for more then two .
Mike and his crew had a few, again slang for over 3.
The other Mike in the cabin with his two buddies did not fair as well and got a honest few 3.
The to do list has been shrinking as we get closer to hauling the houses out of the woods. A little snow would help that progress but good old mother nature will make that decision unless I have to do a snow dance and I sure do not want a lot of snow so it may have to be a modified slow snow dance. Its 25 here this morning so that's good.
Buddy is allowing wheelers, sleds, side by side off his access and asking not to venture past the pressure ridge at about 3 miles. Please remember to use common sense if your coming up.
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Well yesterday was a very busy and productive day to say the least. All our guest caught a few fish through out the day and came off the lake just after or before sunset to be on the safer side.. everyone reported 10 to 12 inches of ice. on our end of the lake. Buddy Hillmen was planning on letting single axel wheel house 16 feet and under out with wheelers. There phone number is 218 647 8504.
Its so nice to have close friends. Chris came up and we went for a walk in the woods hoping to spook up a grouse and also look for a flu flu arrow I lost when I missed a grouse this fall. We did see one bird but he was out of range. when we got back Chris was kind enough to help me button up old Minnesota's project.
The guys in the cabin struggled finding fish, but yesterday stumbled onto the mother load and I was able to visit them and have a couple pieces of fresh fish last night.
Deb and Jim are coming up to give it a shot today while everyone else here will be packing up this morning.
I was hoping to make it to church for advent but saying goodbye too our guest may throw off the timing.
Today I need to spend the time picking up any thing on the ground lying around as snow is predicted starting Monday afternoon.
I would also like to take chris to my honey hole for grouse as it was huge for him to take the time to help me yesterday.
The vexlars are charged and tonight the rods and reels will be prepped for the up and coming ice season.
All the vehicles are starting and will see what this cold does to them. They still have a few small issue but they always do. I'm going to do a no snow, snow dance today and tomorrow but not sure if its going to work. Mother nature is getting ready to show her nasty side with snow and high winds out of the north then nw.
Well its getting lite and I have ton of things to do. I can not empathize enough if your fishing on upper red lake please use common sense , Talk to the resort before you go on the lake. Be safe and have a buddy fishing with you. There's plenty of good fishing with in the first mile or two. We have all season to work our way out further as the season progresses.
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thanks cookie, always love your reports. see ya Friday!!
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Great update! Sounds like good things are just around the corner.
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My no snow slow snow dance started off as rain? Guess I made a mistake and did a rain dance. Cleaning off the trucks last night I would say we got 3 inches far less then they predicted 9 to 11. The winds picked up last night and are howling right now. The snow was wet and heavy to start so I'm hoping its not blow in my landing to bad.
Barny from Kellier is coming up today to do a little welding for us before we pull the house's off the shore line. Montana needs a hook re welded and the metal grade step repaired, Florida also need some work on the step.
I got the radiator ordered for white Lightning aka Cheyanne. I'm hoping it arrives before Saturday and I can get Devon to install it while there here. We also have a lite bar for blue thunder that Devon gave me this summer. I noticed the wipers quit working on the red baron and we will have to check that out as there kinda important out there on the lake.
Josh from Annandale is running a snowbear out there this year. He has a helper Travis that was out there yesterday guiding some customers. I talk to him briefly before the rain and snow started and he landed a 16 incher while I was talking to him, kinda curious how he did after that.
I expect quite a few rentals will be working there way out on the lake starting Wednesday, my plans are to check my area one more time before I make the move onto the lake. I'm hoping to find 14 inches of ice the whole route so will see how that goes.
I'm sure Buddy Hillmen will start dragging his road this morning if there's good visibility. He like to get that snow off asap to make the ice thicker on the road. Plus with a good wind a lot of it catches the air and its much less plowing.
I know I have said it many times but it is one heck of a road and he takes a tremendous amount of pride in building it. Its a lot of work, a lot of ware and tare on the trucks, but I also enjoy being part of his operation.
Crazy but I have heard and saw pics of a few. " More then 3" elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies this year. Deb and Jim did not fair to well sunday fishing. I think it was there first time on red lake. They did manage to get two in the time they fished and also missed a couple. They came off the lake before dark to be on the safe side.
If you decide to come fish upper red lake in the near future please check in with the access resorts. With the snow cover they will have information Of any areas to avoid since they have all been checking condition daily. Remember common sense and if it does not look right it is probably not. Do not try and go to saved waypoints un tell we have weeks of ice making temps. Its just a fish. There's plenty of fishable ice that's average 10 inches. And the last Thing is remember as the old timer Dave told me" ITS A GRAND LAKE AND IT OWES US NOTHING!, NOTHING!
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so here's the scoop, Buddy Hillmen and I started the super highway yesterday. We made about a mile of road with the berm to the south . Crossing the berm would be a bad idea. Hillmens is allowing any size wheel house out to less then a mile with wheelers or side by sides. Any other question you can call the store 218 647 8504.
He also has some open rental on the lake at this time.
I have a very busy day ahead as the fleet is coming out of the woods today,
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Wow was I pooped last night. Here I thought buddy hillmen would be dragging the road. I headed down to the lake after the big blow Wednesday morning to find like always 3 to 4 feet of snow in our yard. Mean while Hank next door to us to the north, you could drive a car off there landing? WTf .To funny it must just make the perfect whirlpool. After spending a hour clearing our yard I headed over to hillmens to do the same thing. Buddy hillmen showed up with the drag and headed out while I worked on the landing. After he made two trips out he left and came back with his brown ford straight blade and we finished up the landing. then just like that we were making the super highway,pushing all the snow to the south. Jst as it was getting dark I headed to North country food and fuel to check the fluids and get gas. The right back out for another hour as we buttoned it up. Over a mile of the super highway done. Blue thunder got a work out , other then one wiper broken and one headlight burned out she came threw with flying colors, gotta love that truck.
Yesterday was another busy day as everything on the list for Wednesday now had to be done yesterday plus getting all 6 houses out of the woods and on to the lake to kick off the 2017 2018 season. I had dropped the ball on sunday and forgot too gather all the extension cords out of the woods . Luckily I had pulled them out of all the summer growth so it was just a mater of pulling them out of 4 foot drifts as they were not tangled in the underbrush, still a chore though.
Each house had to be secured, then broken loose before they could be tugged out of there resting places. Again blue thunder preformed flawlessly. Man I love that truck.lol. One by one I towed them out to the fishing grounds, 6 houses in all are now positioned on the north side of hillmens highway with 4 ready to block, bank and auger for todays first crews. Did I say I was pooped? Came in the house last night well after dark worn out. I need a second wind all ready and I have only been on the lake 2 days OH! OH! There was know 3 course meal last night it was a frozen pizza ,hot shower, a couple phone calls" more then 2" and bed by 930.
Day 3 on the lake begins with gathering any blocks left down at the lake before the next snow fall. 3 propane's and gathering all the extension cords. Then Its time to prep as 24 holes have to be augered before 2pm. I'll just plug away and remember what That old timer Dave told me "ITS A GRAND LAKE AND IT OWES ME NOTHING NOTHING!
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City: waskish
Remote Name: 209.191.208.74
Date: 03/11/2003
Time: 11:30:31 AM
Upper_Red_Lake
To all fishermen, If you spend 1/2 hour reading the past reports on here you should have all the knowledge you need to find those elusive crappies. Come and enjoy the lake , give every one plenty of room, Please bring your garbage home. Who ever left the 12 pack of empty bud cans I picked them up for you. Where do you think this garbage goes?I will tell you it ends up on the bottom of the lake or on shore so please take it home with you.This lake is pristine lets all keep it that way. THANKS COOKIE
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Yes it is pretty sad the amount of garbage that gets left behind on the lake.
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Wow day 6 coming up of having the potential of being on the lake for a 102 days in a row. "ZOIKS"
I thought it was interesting to see I have been blogging for over 14 years on some fishing sights.
here goes it was a great start to the 2017 2018 season. Getting things prepped on Friday was a grind to say the least. I think I got on the lake at 9 am and when Ashly our granddaughter and Devon her guy plus our great grandson Bently, 9 months old this past weekend, It was 11pm.
It has become official as Saturday bently set on his dads lap holding a fishing rod and jigging. 7 generations have wet a line on such a grand lake. I find that amazing. Grandpa Norman homesteaded here, They had Grama Olga who was raised on the Tamarac river with her brothers and sisters jalmer drowned up by moose bank. My dad and his brother and sister ran the streets of waskish, I fished the lake when I was 6, Our kids came up her since they were babies. Our daughter kids same thing. Matty being born up here, well bemidji now Liam and bently coming here. I guess it paid off and the kids were the last ones to check in and did the best of all 4 houses. We could not figure out if they could have a limit for bently so they went home with 8.
Jamie and Dustin were in montana, the closest house to shore. They only landed 5 walleyes and two smaller pike, plus all the swings and a miss. The ice was a 17 inches where the house is. They stop flooding around 19 so that will be sweet. You can get away with out blocking them after 20 inches but you need to keep a good eye on them as if you get some big drift s from snow they will freeze in.
Jeff and Beth were in florida for one night, There friends with my friend Jeff aka boar and his wife Lorie they were in north Dakota for the weekend. They hung out in florida tell late into the evening/morning and only caught a couple fish. Boar said I had his house in 5 feet of water? I showed him it was 7'11" They did real good Saturday night in North Dakota. I'm not even sure how many they caught other then the rattle wheels kept them entertained and they took home 8 fish.
Saturday I would be fishing with Scott who lives in florida in our florida fish house. He was in mpls for work. He was opening up a new dunken dounuts. If I would of know I would of had him bring be a bakers dozen.
He had never ice fished, we got two rattle wheels set up and a vexlar, where we fished and visited from sunset tell about 8pm with a very slow bite . Scott did get to catch two keepers walleyes. So he was pleased that it was a catching trip and not a fishing trip. He spent the night on the lake. I came home and fried up his catch then brought him some fresh walleye as he had never tasted them.
Yesterday I headed out to move florida as that area has now been burned out. There were 5 pop ups just a little west of north Dakota. I talk to them briefly and they said it was slow but they were in the same spot Saturday and sunday ?
I timed it from when I stepped out the door and raised the step. It took me 40 minutes to dig out and move the house. So feasibly I could move 4 houses in 4 hours if everything clicks.
Buddy Hillmen's highway is performing just like it was designed. We had a squall of snow Friday afternoon and it was minimum plowing even though we got a inch of snow coming down sideways with 30 miles a hour NW winds most of the evening.
Scott, Bob and Pete? were in the cabin and they almost lost the portable out there when that weather picked up. They did well Saturday and went right back to where they fished the first night.
We have one house rented tomorrow so at this time I have plenty of time to get re positioned for the next weekend.
We did get another inch of snow last night so there some snow to plow this morning. 3 miles I think of super highway. Buddy Hillmens still has plenty of opening for the 2017 2018 fish season 218 647 8504. There plans sounds like the double decker will go out after xmas
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brrrr making more ice -1 here in waskish this morning.
Today will be day 6 working on the lake, Yesterday was the second day spent plowing most of the day which is never in the plans, Mother nature always rules here and always will. What I thought was 1 inch of snow was closer to 3 and with the winds again howling out of the nw it was pretty much impossible to maintain the ice road. The first mile was in good shape when I came off the lake last night but there all most 2 more miles that will need to be cleared.
We pushed a lot of snow to the south that first mile so I expect that berm to collapse and sink soon? After that do not try and cross it ,I have way to much to do this winter to pull trucks out .
Now there talking some high winds tomorrow after a front comes threw so if your going on the lake hold on to your hats.
Not much for a fishing report today snowbear Johse's customers were getting a couple I guess. I have a crew coming in today so I have some prep work to knock out right away before blue thunder gets another full day workout. Devon and Ashly our granddaughter installed I lite bar they gave me before they left and did that come in handy as blue thunder lost its other head lite yesterday. Thanks Devon and Ashly.
Right now the plans are to plug away and get all the houses moved and reset by Thursday so I can auger all the holes Friday morning so we will see how that pans out.
I'll know more today of what Buddy Hillmen's plans on letting on the lake, but it sounds like Rodgers will be letting 1/2 tons out by this weekend. I usually start at 9 but today its 7am instead
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Mother nature is all ready taking its toll on my equipment, Plowing, plowing, plowing. 2 plow lites,3 wiper blades, small radiator leak that I need to keep a eye on, 3 bolts on plow that need to be replaced asap. I will have to limp blue thunder for a couple days un tell they can be addressed. I was able to tighten two of the 4 bolts but I Imagine they will come loose rather quickly. Blue thunder is my work horse , I like banking my house's, un banking them with out blue thunder is quite the chore.
Buddy Hillmen's road is now in great shape. The berm did collapse as I anticipated so if you decide to cross it good luck. I saw where two vehicle's have all ready been pulled out.
I can not say what Hillmen's are allowing out at this time so you would need to call the store. 218 647 8504.
Yesterday more time was spent cleaning up the main road which goes out around 3 miles. Buddy Hillmen had about twenty stakes across the road shaped as x's. You would think that means do not go further? There were at least 5 houses beyond that area so Buddy just shook his head.
Snowbead Josh says he has been doing really well with his guiding operation.
My guys in florida. Rob and Dave only managed 3 keepers. They went in for dinner at prime time, dusk, the bewitching hour Tuesday night. Wednesday they awoke with all there lines tangled. I guess they did not hear the rattle wheels, Boar had said Saturday night at midnight he caught 6 fish, then had another run around 4 30 am.
Between plowing yesterday I was able to dig out and move montana and North Dakota. Old Minnesota will be moved today . Florida will need to be cleaned and vacuumed. Vacuuming the houses never get old. I just get a kick that I'm vacuuming a fish house. Then florida will also need to be moved again before the weekend. I have no idea if I can keep up this pace. I need mother nature to settle down a bit that's for sure.
Jake and his crew arrived last night late in the cabin so I'm not sure where there going to fish.
Most of my phone calls as of late have been about ice conditions, Buddy hillmens road is in great shape, any where to the north seems to be pretty safe as we never had all the open water. My houses are sitting on 18 inches of ice and last I heard a mile or two out was pushing 14.
Be safe ,use common sense, keep the speed down on the ice road, and stay away from the berm to the south. The lake does have some snow with bare spots here and there. Watch for old spots where houses have been, that's where there's going to be lots of snow from the drifting. Have a grand time on a grand lake. As Dave the old timer told me when I took him fishing years ago. "ITS A GRAND LAKE AND IT OWES ME NOTHING! NOTHING!
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Here's the scoop, Buddy Hillmen is now allowing 1/2 ton trucks with single axle wheel houses..
Also any size wheel house pulled by wheeler or side by side.
Drive slow there's a bridge plate about a mile out. Do not try and cross berm to the south of road. I have all ready seen a couple tracks where they did not make it through.
be safe use commom sense and enjoy such a grand lake.
On a side note. Last weekend a small fish house was set up about 200 yards from me. Sunday I was driving by and noticed a plastic bag so I stopped to pick it up. It was pushed down into the augured hole and turned out to be a bag of poop. From now on I will be taking random pics of wheel houses and if I find that kind of crap again I will be reporting to dnr and expect a possible ticket in the mail.
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Good for you Cookie :applause:! That kind of stuff really sets me off. :taz: :mad1: :angry2: :angry2:
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Well well where to begin? The good night bite we had last weekend just disappeared as the traffic arrived on the shores of upper red lake. All our houses were moved 100 to 200 yards west to a few inches of deeper water .Lets juat say that did not pay off , in hindsight I should of stayed around old Minnesota depths and maybe went the other direction.
Jerry ,Bob and Zack arrived Thursday eve and did not fair to well the first night. They managed a true couple with a rattle wheel or two but sure was not what I expected.
Friday was again a busy day as I did final prep work and augured holes. Wayne arrived early for old Minnesota and missed one fish around 3 pm. That night we spent the evening hanging out and playing some cards with not a single nibble.
Larry arrived alone for montana as his other guy bailed on him. I'm not sure how all the house's caught over 40 fish, not counting misses to next to nothing. I have a idea but will just keep that one to my self.
Saturday after a little recon and scouting a area, I had to make the decision to start the fleet out to deeper water. Old Minnesota was the first to move, in between I had to augur holes for Kevin and arrons arrivalin florida and prep north Carolina,for Bobs arrival .
Once old Minnesota was banked and augured I headed back to moved north Dakota, Larry came over and gave a helping hand as I would be moving montana also. plus I checked in Kevin and Arron into florida where they watched out the picture window as the whole fleet was leaving them for better waters. Oh! Oh!
After taking care of north Dakota I headed back to retrieve montana and was feeling the work load, the back is getting older every year. Larry chiseled out the blocks after I pulled out and followed me. Once Montana was blocked, banked, augured it was closing in on 4 pm and I was spent. About 4:30 the phone rings and Its Kevin in florida and he wants to know if I'm coming back to move them as they have not got a bite and they have been fishing on a new spot for 4 hours. Plus I had told them how the fishing had been the last 24 hours. I explained that my back was done and I do not move houses in the dark in less its a emergency. After a couple phone calls I could not find any one with a open house so I walked over to talk with Larry in Montana and ask if he would like some company for the evening as he had met them when he was waiting for me to come back and get his house. Larry has rented from me quite a few times and he had no problem helping me out, so every thing was set in motion as I went to escort them out to the house. Wow what a day.
The rest of the evening was spent playing cards with the hammer and our good friend Wayne catching a couple fish and missing a few fish with plenty of laughs to make us all a little younger. Chris stooped by to say hello, as well as gravy a previous customer and Travis the new kid on the block.
Around 9;30 pm I had to escort Kevin and Arron back to florida where I hoped they would get a few more fish like last weekend. Then it was back to old Minnesota to finish up our card game and head home to bed.
The fishing results, 8 for north Dakota, 7 for Minnesota, and 8 for montana plus numerous misses from all the houses.
Yesterday was again busy as I said goodbye to all, then prepped north Dakota for Craig and his family. I also got all 3 houses ready as we started putting new carpet in florida, montana and old Minnesota on the ice.
Lets just say the weekend was a grind, I loved all most every minute of it and after supper last night I was out like a baby at 7:35 pm. dreaming of such a grand lake that, as that old timer Dave Told me. "Its a Grand Lake" A Grand Lake" and it owes me Nothing! Nothing!
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thanks colkie sure do enjoy you posts!!
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get on those fish cookie. ;)
We won't be up until after Christmas now, as i have too much to get done before we host this weekend. But i plan on staying up for the week in between Christmas and new years. me and my pup. kids will be up on night, and maybe my dad... and my buddy from Kab. i hope i get on some fish for them.
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Day 7 of having the houses on the lake and I hate to say it seems a lot longer. North Dakota has been moved for its third time as well florida . I'm hoping to get montana and old Minnesota moved today followed op by north Carolina.
Criag and his family Mary, the kids, Addison, Carson and Conner. Craig had it all dialed in to how and fish with small kids and brought up tip ups that he placed in the holes then put the hole covers back on. each one had a beeper alarm that triggered a bite . They had a Grand time and I escorted off the lake in somewhat whiteout conditions Tuesday morning.
Dale and Bobby rolled in Monday fro old minnesota. Last year I promised them a fish dinner and due to a blizzard on the lake last year we did not go out there that night. It could not of worked out better as The fish we kept while wayne was here were just sitting in a bowl of ice, cleaned from the day before . The hammer and I headed out around 4 to have dinner and fish a bit. We were only in the house for less then 15 minutes when dale set the hook on a nice fish. When he saw it and thought he had a sheaphead but low and behold a elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie was splashing in the hole. It was 14 1/2 inches, not only the biggest he has ever caught but also his first upper red lake crappie, they have been here numerous times over the years winter and summer, that's just says how elusive they truly are. Then to boot it was in the hammer's favorite spot but she took it like a trooper. As I was taking a pic, the rattle wheel went off and the hammer lost what could of very well been another elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. :pouty: Then Bobby jo says hey my bobbers gone, another swing and a miss. Wow! did a small school happen to pass by . The world will never know ?
Dinner could not of turned out better and Dale commented it was the best fish fry he had ever had.
Mel, Dan and Robbie were also here installing new carpet in florida montana and old Minnesota. They had a hoot while they were here as always. They sure love having fun and fishing. They managed to eat some fish and also take home a few. The carpet turned out great .
Of course in between all this action, mother nature had to throw in her two cents. Most of the main road stayed open by design but the side roads drifted in pretty good and also left some pretty good drifts around houses on the lake. Then the berm on the south collapsed sending a few cracks through the road. So if your on Hillmens highway, please drive slow, its not a freeway! Think of it as a school zone or your out on a sunday drive.
Today Rick and Dianne roll in as well as Ryan and his crew, so I again have plenty to do this morning. 16 holes to augur and I would like to get old Minnesota moved as well as montana.
I did stop and check on Matt and Billy in old Minnesota as I was leaving the lake and matt had caught a fishing pole with a nice 19 incher attached. Turns out Bobby jo's pole was missing Tuesday morning. I took the pole but they would not give me the fish to also return to her.
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The first thing is I say Merry Christmas. So Merry Christmas to all.
Been battling the elements here on the shores of upper red lake. The wind and snow squalls seem to never stop. Keeps a guy a little busier that's for sure.
Ryan and his family Shannon, Leo and Jack arrived right on time for one night in north Dakota. They did well and took home 10 fish for sure. They may of caught a couple more after I said goodbye.
Rick and Dianne met us at westwinds customer appreciation Thursday eve and just like every year westwind the premier resort here in waskish did a outstanding job. Rick was edgy to get back out to florida and start there mini vacation on the ice. they to did well and went home with 8 keepers.
On the other hand the hammer and I fished old Minnesota Friday night. We spent the night on the lake, With the house on a new spot I expected we would catch a few fish. Lets just say the honey bun might want to hire a guide next time because we could not bye a fish. The rattle wheel did go off twice in the middle of the night with nothing there both times. Mean while every one else had action. I'm thinking there was something wrong with our minnows. We did enjoy the sunrise and I made eggs and hash for breakfast on the ice.
Sam and his better half were fishing a bout 200 yards away and got 6 Friday night. Pat and Long hair also arrived Friday and had 7 Saturday morning. Another wheel house just to our left got a couple? and a 34 inch pike. I was thinking that pike may of been under are house as another reason we could not by a bite as I did have a fish on twice that felt big Saturday morning before we packed up.
I also had a phone call Saturday morning as a guy lost his hand gun down a hole. We were able to retrieve it with a magnet, camera and a little ingenuity. He sure was happy to get that back.
Friday morning I stopped in to check on Rick and Dianne .I was having a cup of coffee figuring out what I had to do and why I had so much time on my hands? Once I got to work I was behind with in minutes as the vacuum quit working. I then had to install new handles on the hole covers and darn if the drill was not in the other truck. What should of taken a few minutes turned into a hour of work. Its so funny how many times during the season it will be in the other truck. Even if I have two of something they end up in the same truck.
Blue thunder is in the process of getting a new radiator before this cold snap coming. I did have a cancelation for Tuesday and Wednesday for florida. I guess it was going to be to cold, as Lance said the kids would go stir crazy.
Today Rick and Heather are spose to arrive .They had planned the same trip last year and a blizzard kept them form coming up. I guess if it works out I will move old Minnesota again for the hammer and I to fish again because where its at was horrible.
There plenty of plowing to do this morning as the winds were blowing like crazy yesterday
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Wow with the major part of the season starting tomorrow, good old mother nature has decided to make things just a little tougher. -19 as I type with a high today of -14. Will be waring a face mask today as I plan on moving Montana after Pat and Long hair Mike take off. They said last night when I check on them I should leave the house there as the fishing has been outstanding? Both times I stopped there yesterday they caught a fish while I was visiting.
I'll have to come up with a plan when I get out there as Blue thunder is down right now as I wait for the right radiator. So frustrating as The guy I had on the phone was reassuring I would be getting the right one. Measured twice ordered once and crap.
I have never liked leaving a house in the same spot very long and if the fishing is good it may only be a 30 yards move. Banking the houses with the red baron can be done but that big old v-plow makes quite a mess?
After fishing old Minnesota with the hammer one night, I am not quite sure what I plan on doing as we only drilled 3 holes. All the houses are banked to the hilt at this time. More then once mother nature decides what can be done and this may be one of those days. -20 and I do not move houses so were right on the cut offline. With this cold snap lingering right into the weekend it has to be slow and patient. Slow and Patient
I was all ready outside this morning and the Red baron is running, it may be running 16 hours a day for the next few days if not more. It started fine but needed to be restarted a few times, a true 3 times before he kept running. My trucks are not spoiled and there is no warn garage for them, all though its always been on the wish list.
White Lightning aka Cheyanne 's radiator will have to still wait untell I get our torpedo back.
The sky is kicking over so its time to get busy . Every one have a safe holiday and lets hope for peace and love as a grand gift.
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darn its been so crazy busy, plus battling the elements has made it tough for me to stay on top of my fishing reports from the shores of upper red lake.
Just keeping everything running and organized takes time, then throw in some plowing, helping out fellow fishermen, moving the houses ,checking in on the customers checking out the customers, checking emails, returning phone calls, answering the phone, checking message's at home, checking emails. cleaning the houses, I was also trying to get some physical therapy for my shoulder, but that's has been thrown out the window so I just need to stay focused on the exercise's they have given me for now.
The fishing has just been so so for the houses, I found a pretty good fishy area but it may be getting to the point of ruined and the whole fleet will have to be moved to greener pasture or whither ice in this case.
If your not here you would not believe all the wheel houses on the lake. I'm hoping to see some drone pics as its just crazy out there. 1 wheel house leaves and 2 more show up ,2 leave and 3 more show up. Its lights as far as the eyes can see out there.
Trying to remember everyone names has been a little tougher then usual and I'm a little frustrated with that.
Ryan and his family stayed in north Dakota and caught some fish, they had to leave early so I did not get to say goodbye,
Jamie and his crew had 7 or 8 there first night, we had to get there truck running after the first night as they may have a weak battery.
Ryan and his family were in montana and caught some fish. They were here 3 nights so we moved them the rd day but it did not pay off as I had hoped.
Old Minnesota had a cancelation so I let Guy and his family stay one night. I think they are from chisum. They only caught a few fish , There little daughter had some cinnamon cookies, shaped like letters and I just had to have 1 then 2 and 3. Plus there may be some home made chocolate chip cookies in the future.
I then had jeff in there for one night and he had 3 before he left so not sure if he got his fourth.
Our son Jonny boy came up to help us so we were able to move 4 houses and reset them in a day,
Andy, Andy and Travis are all by them self's and I was hoping they would have some outstanding fishing but as of yesterday it was not that good.
Pat and the kids in North Dakota had enough to go have a fish fry and it was nice seeing Pat again, he was able to hook up with my good friend the greek and spend a week in Alaska last summer. I was hoping to get in a game of cribbage with Pat but it just did not pan out as last night I was spent. Fighting this cold weather seems to ware a guy out.
I was planning on moving the houses this morning but with the temps at - 24 not sure how that's going to pan out at this time. The sky is kicking over the trucks have been idling for over a hour and I got to go.
Lets hope we have a grand day on such a grand lake that owes us Nothing! nothing!
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Happy new year to all my family,fishing friends customers and potential customer's. Its been so busy and with mother nature having her 2 cents I had no time to make new year resolution. Oh well maybe next year.
Rick and his brothers showed up Saturday morning, they have been coming for years so it was quite easy to check them in and keep on trucking,
The temps have been brutal and started to affect every thing as the cold snap lingers on. Jonny boy and I took our time as we moved and prepped north Dakota for Cory, Abby 2 of the 4 kids Vida and Cash. This is there 3rd year coming. They sure are a nice family. I always enjoy visiting with them.
Plus its sure is fun watchin them kids grow up, one other plus is the kids always offer me cookies.
They ended up heading home with 11 keepers and a few perch.
Bian and his crew Derrick,Tracy and Patty have not done the greatest and we moved them yesterday to a fresh area.
Andy ,Andy and Travis also ended up with 11 I think plus a few perch so we did find a new fishy area to ruin. They have always stayed in montana house but this year they ended up in florida.
Old Minnesota was kind of a dud for Rick Matt and other brother sorry . They come back in a couple weeks to redeem them self's, When we moved the house they had forgot 2 fish laying on the ice under the house.I know they did eat a couple fish
We moved florida after Andy left and Tim and Amanda have done pretty well.
Blue thunder decided the cold was enough and I had to go to Bemidji yesterday and purchase 2 new batteries and a fuel filter. Yesterday Jonny boy and I had to move both house with the red baron it is a little tougher banking the house with a giant v plow.
The temps the last week were just brutal with many generators , heaters having problems on the lake. Plus a few diesels and other vechicles.
Buddy Hillmen looked like a proud poppa pulling that double decker out onto the lake sunday afternoon. I have nicked named it the behemoth and he also nick named it the money pit . It is quite the monster and will sleep 12 with 20 holes. I know there some opening left I believe it around 500 per night. The store number is 218 647 8504.
Lonnie and his wife ended up catching some fish the last night and its always a treat to stop in there. Lisa makes incredible soups and I think it may be campbels or she works for them or should?
Jeff broke in a new ice castle with temps 29 below . He did have some furnace issues but our friend Boar was able to walk him through it.
Lets just say the temps have been brutal its been a world wind and it feels good to catch my breath. We have a day or two to reset but mother nature is going to throw a wrench in it as I noticed the winds are picking up.
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ya, sorry missed you cookie... was just too damn cold and i don't have it in me anymore to deal with -35 plus on a lake.
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With this cold snap never ending it has again been a bit of a grind. We checked Amanda and Tim into florida sunday afternoon. They had 2 days of Pretty good fishing in my book. They took home 8, released 6 and had fish for dinner.
Brian, Derrick and the two gals Tracy and Patty did much better after we moved montana for there last night. I then put Linda and Tracy in the same house, same spot and even though it had not been fished 24 hrs they had to grind out the fishing to get 5. Hind sight is a tough thing.
After Tim and Amanda left we moved Notrh Dakota to the south east of florida where I expected more good fishing, man was I wrong for Jack and his grandson Josh and Ben. Brand new spot and they were only up to 4 fish. Tom and John fished old Minnesota 2 days, not spending the night and only managed a couple fish per day also a new spot. I would love to blame the weather but you always here someone saying there catching double digits every day? oh well.
Today is going to be a tough day as we would like to move Monatana ,North Dakota to new locations. I had a family spending the night in montana last minute and they were comfortable when I check in on them last night.
I also had Joanne and Steave in florida last night and the fishing was not that good on another new spot. Lets hope this morning they had some action.
Jonny boy was spending the night in old Minnesota so we shall see if he had any action last night. I did catch one last night while the hammer and I had pizza and watched a movie out there.
It may be time to make a big move with old Minnesota and florida today. With the temps -30 this morning I'm not the happiest camper. I have no problem moving houses but I still have not figured out what's going on with blue thunder as it seems to run out of gas under power?
Every day on the lake is a challenge to say the least. I 'm not even sure how many days its been on the lake. Just like every year, its plan A turns to plan B, plan B turns to plan C. Improvising on a grand lake it quite the challenge .
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She is a grand lake and it owe us nothing that's for sure. Day 33 of working on the lake and its been a blast. Its been a grind, its been a struggle. The fishing has been all over the board, from great to horse sh.
I'm a little superstitious so when I talk about all our equipment I always knock on wood. It finally got warm enough to install the new fuel filter in blue thunders carb. and just like that's she is running much better. I'm always leery when it come to screwing that fuel line back into the carb base. I got another torpedo, the third one I decided to go a different route and went with the diesel fuel one. Nothing is ever easy in these conditions using the only fuel available in waskish for it has made the use of it a little more then aggravating. We will get her dialed in before this next cold snap. I wonder why I seem to call our equipment her? Must be the way I try and take care of it all.
The hammer and I celebrated our 40th year of marriage ,fishing ,eating ,playing poker with our good friend Wayne and our first son. Jonny boy.
I grilled behind old Minnesota in a study wind of 25 miles an hour out of the south. I got Darrin to pick us up some steaks, not sure where he purchased them but oh my they were all most unbelievable, the only thing that could of improved them would of been fresh morel mushrooms
This next spring Wayne and I our going om a mission to find the mother load of morel's.
Wayne decided to put on a little clinic when I switched up my set up to a smaller forage minnow tipped with a fathead. I got the vex all dialed in and proceeded to prep the dinner. He set down in my chair and banged out a few fish from 7 to 8 pm. Totaling out fishing the hammer? He was setting the hook like it was a shark, driving that hook into its mouth, not loosing any of the bites he had he was in a zone for a bit. Sunday morning I cleaned up a batch of fish and fresh fish is on the menu.
Don had his crew shrunk before arrival and it opened up florida for the weekend. I bumped Mike and his sons out of north Carolina as a up grade and they did horrible. Spitting chew in the holes is a bad idea in my book. Wayne and I agree the golden rule. Nothing gets thrown down the holes. I was pretty disappointed when I went to clean and move florida yesterday.
Don and the guys managed a fish fry, they also did a outing on the snowbear of Joshes. They did not do that well but got to tour quite a big portion of the lake at night.
Mother nature was again a factor as the winds picked up enough with a snow squall to make visibility tough for part of Saturday, with drifting snow around everything sunday mornig.
The warm temp also made some pressure ridges . One Saturday night that gave the hammer/honey bunny quite the scare as it sounds like its going to explode right under the house. I would say it has to be all most like a earthquake only not lasting quite as long. She cringed and Put her hands over her face as she rumbled for a good 20 seconds before squeaking and settling down. Sunday morning she again exploded. It looks like the south berm of buddy Hillmen's highway is now a active pressure ridge. It always quite the sight to see as it will be moving the rest of the year.
Our good friends Mel and Dan have rented the big double decker from Buddy Hillmen's. They are pumped to fish out of the behemoth/ money pit/ and beach house as Lisa coined it. That house may set a record for nick names with many, many stories to come out of that house.
Jonny boy had a rough day yesterday and smacked his fingers pretty good plus may of lost the key to our newest edition white lightning / aka Cheyane that made it debut on the lake Saturday. What a treat to drive a warm truck with a comfortable seat to boot.
Its all most time to fire up the fleet and check the fluids. Mike and his wife Tracy and there friends were in north Dakota last night. I hoping to go jam with my harmonicas with them to night as they both play guitar with Scott bringing a 12 string.
Reggie and Garmin were in florida last night and had a couple when I came off the lake.
This warm air is a treat and I plan on enjoying working out there the next few days, I may even get a nap in ole Minnesota, maybe even a nap nap on such a grand lake.
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Hump day and we have a lot of prep the next 24 hrs as snow is predicted starting tonight.
Yesterday was a long day as I hit the lake at 8 am and finished up at 8 pm.
Buddy Hillman extended the main road another mile or snow and all the snow on the north edge had to be moved to the south of the road. I 'm headed out in a bit to try and finish what I started.
Sunday we got Florida and north Dakota moved and ready just as they arrived. Mike, Irv, Pat and Tracy/Terry were in north Dakota . The first night was slow but Monday night they did much better. The hammer and I had fresh honey crusted walleye in old Minnesota Monday night and never made it over so I could practice Jam with the harp.
We got skunked in old Minnesota but as always it never gets better. We caught and missed fished in there for 2 days.
Reggie and Garmin were in Florida for just one night, she had never ice fished and was born and raised in Africa. They had a fish fry and went home Monday with there 8.
The jersey boys arrive tomorrow with John and his crew checking in yesterday just as I was putting the finishing touches on moving and prepping north Dakota.
They only had a couple when I checked in on them last night but did miss two while I was visiting.
With some snow predicted we now have over 10 miles of main road to maintain plus my side roads. I totally expect white out conditions Thursday if the weather idiot is right.
I did get our new cookie's on upper red lake Hoodies ordered and can not wait to see them.
That was a huge chore.
last thing is Hillmen tall tale tavern have the crappie floopers playing some music on the 27th and feb 4th is there chile cook off
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betting ole cookie is having a grand old time today on such a grand old lake!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :doah: :doah:
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Yes spent the morning rescuing a guy from Duluth. 12 hours of plowing coming up at some point today tonight. The roads are complete drifted
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hope it goes well for ya cookie!!!!!
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yea cookie...........hope all goes well for ya!!!!!!!!! stay safe......how else will boar catch fish?????? :happy1: :happy1:
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cookie my friend ive been wanting to call ya brother, but my phone went the way of my keys. in 32 ft of water. Ive another but I'm waiting to activat it due to glenn who keeps harassing me on how to fish an smoke meats. ill be in touch soon buddy! samr with you my turd(glenn)blossom!
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cookie my friend ive been wanting to call ya brother, but my phone went the way of my keys. in 32 ft of water. Ive another but I'm waiting to activat it due to glenn who keeps harassing me on how to fish an smoke meats. ill be in touch soon buddy! samr with you my turd(glenn)blossom!
so did "Robert" answer your phone!! :laughroll: :laughroll: :laughroll: :super smiley: :super smiley:
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losing tracks of days can be grueling to say the least.
Will start with John, Bernie, Ryan and Tom the giraffe slayer first. This is there third year and I be leave staying the longest of all my guest over the years on the ice. 4 nights. Two of them left the lake after we dug out for a few supply's other wise they just fish, play a little cribbage, eat good and enjoy each others company. Just a great group of guys that fish hard.
The first night they got 7. Wednesday when the temps kept climbing they all fished outside all day and managed to catch around 30 fish with one, yes one elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie.
While they fished Jonnny boy and I kept busy as I made moves and plans for the up and coming snow and winds. I had every thing scouted out as I had a funny feeling my main road would be gone come Thursday. Its feels good when a plan comes together and after the wind stopped and the sun came out I was able to cut in a new road/trail with no problems. The red baron is such a huge tool, I'll never understand how I managed to just use blue thunder 1 in the old crappies days. Looking back man did that good old gal take a beating she still lives on with many parts of her on blue thunder 2. the boom, the rear end, the front diff just to name a few. More then 3.
Jonny boy and I brought California out by us, blocked and banked, we then moved montana and north Carolina to new fishing grounds as the jersey boys would be rolling in Thursday.
Then old Minnesota was also moved and prepped. Jonny boy was shocked when he went in there and said dad what th e! I have never seen your house this messy? oops I guess I have been kinda busy and had never cleaned up much after our fantastic honey crusted walleye dinner out there Monday eve. Plus its my office, lunch room. when I'm on the lake all day. To funny.
About the time we headed in the ice was melting off the trucks as the temps had hit 34 degrees, The good old jan. thaw was here for 1 and a half days. As we were coming in I called Ron / jersey boys to verify there arrival only to be told they would not be making the trip?
Plan A had just changed to plan B. .
After coming home I loaded up the red baron and back on the lake to prep and clean old Minnesota, wet a line, and chill for a bit. My plan was not to fish the house hard as Steve and his crew would be arriving Friday. I have a pet peeve and do not like my houses fished before a guest arrival but again I was not going to fish it hard? Its kinda of a running joke how do you not fish a house hard. I only drilled two of the 6 holes and never dropped a line the first half hour out there. I finally dropped a rattle wheel down with a hammer gold gemieye and fat head. About the time I climbed up on the top bunk the rattle wheel went ding ding ding. I scrambled off the bed and gave it a good hook set plus a couple more as landed a nice 16 inch walleye. I threw him outside thinking it was still warm out I guess. I then kept cleaning and at some point put another minnow on the gemieye and dropped her down again. This time I was running the vacuum and ding ding ding my second fish . After throwing him outside I again ignored getting a line down and got all the dirty dishes put away before I re baited. At some point I dropped her down and it just kept going as the third fish must have been looking for his buddies. Lets just say he found them, as just like that, not fishing hard! I had another honey crusted walleye dinner on the menu.
Josh that is running a snowbear with guided trips om Red lake stopped by to visit for a bit before I packed it in. I stepped out side and the snow has started, the temps had dropped big time and my fish were frozen cigrs?
Thursday morning with 4 to 5 inches of snow and winds howling out of the nnw just as I expected the roads were gone and the lake looked like the moon.
I found out the hard way as I got a call from a guy named Rick that was stuck out there in a snow bank. Blue thunder and I headed out and 2 hours later we had him safe to shore but it was quite the adventure. Slow and patient was the key as there was no one to pull me out if I got stuck.
By early afternoon the snow stopped, the sun came out and the winds dropped just enough to re open all the main roads. with 5 plow trucks running full steam we had 90 percent of it reopened and called her a night around 9 pm. 7 hours straight plowing. Buddy and his help Kelly headed out earlier in the white out conditions to move houses before we started plowing. Talk about experience and confidence.
Yesterday we got all our customers checked in and last night every house had a few? plus I had set up Keith and his son Andrew in there wheel house on a secret spot and they had 5. Ken in his wheeh house also had 5 and got 1 while I was visiting. I also got a spot plowed for Barndon in his wheel house as he wanted a spot away form everybody. I had been plowing and checking a spot so looking forward to see how they have done over night.
well the red baron is running and I'm off to at good bye to john and his crew and get north Dakota on a new spot for Scott and his crews arrival.
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Not sure what's going on but I'm still loosing track of days. Bouncing around in the red baron, checking on customers ,enjoying the football game at Hillmens Tall tale Tavern man was that fun, getting a few games of pool in last night to practice for my next match. Playing a round of texas hold em with the wells fargo boys in north dakota, visiting with all the customers, moving houses, plowing new roads, plowing old roads, battling mother nature, the winds were howling sunday night after another small dumping of snow.
I wrote in my note book on Wednesday the 17th CLOSED.
The fishing has been crazy good? Not sure what's that all about but will take it as its so nice to see everyone catching more then a few.
Stevejames won my giveaway on Minnesota Outdoorsman, I have been giving a way a free night as a prize on there fishing challenge for a few years. He arrived Friday for old Minnesota with his buddy Mike and there 2 boys Nolan and Ayden. They rented one day so they were here for 2 nights and did real well. I got a great pic of there stringer of fish, It was a treat seeing the kids outside playing ,enjoying the great outdoors.
Terry, Sarha ,Carl and Kenny were in florida for 3 nights. They also had a grand time on a grand lake. This was there third year with me. They said they will be back again next year if I will have them? There such nice people, I was able to visit off and on wth them as they fed me breakfast burritos , French dips after the Viking game. Carl got 4 deer so they also brought me a care package of venison. I'm making my coleslaw for them next year and may treat them to a night of my cooking to boot. I mentioned to Sarah the first day she should tie a string to her fishing pole? OOPs darn if it did not go down a hole.
Scott the wells fargo boys have also did well, they went to Westwind for fish and the Viking game and also had a hoot. Then when they got back to the house Scott got treated to "yes a elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie" A beautiful 14 a half inch masterpiece. Another great group of guys and they got my 10 dollars last night. I played a little to loose and lost all my chips.
Mel, Dan and Dane arrived for old Minnesota sunday, I told Dan get a line down first thing. Before they were unpacked they had 2 in the bucket. Yesterday Dane was catching fish on the rattle wheel from the top bunk. They enjoyed Fish for dinner last night as Mel is a master chef, she also fed me hodgepodge for breakfast yesterday. They have been coming up here for 14 years summer and winter.
Snowbear Josh headed home for a couple days so I'm taking care of a couple of his guest and they were slaying the fish the last two days.
I just talked to Jarred and his buddie Jim they were in montana last night and got there 8.
Angie and here hubbie and there friends were in montana sunday. I think they ended up with 9 with there friends, The kids fished in one of Joshes 2 man houses and there friends went home sunday eve,.
Mother nature has been kicking my but. Yesterday I plowed off and on all day, cleaning up the drifts. Buddy Hillmens Highway is again in great shape. I expect we will be making more main roads in the next day or two.
I did here form Brandon I had set up in a secret spot and they also did real well Friday eve,
Ken and his buddies also did well where I plowed them a spot. Throwing darts and hitting bulls eyes feel good. Well its past my starting time. we start at 9, so again its time to check the fluids and hit the ice on such a Grand lake that owes us nothing! Nothing!
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The plan this morning has again changed from plan a to plan b as yesterday afternoon. The red baron broke her front drive shaft, taking out the transmission pan to boot. Darn the luck! I may of heard it clunking if I had the exhaust fixed. Hindsight I try and always look at these things as they are ment to happen for a reason and its part of the business.
Sunday night after the Vikings game when I headed back on the lake, mother nature has pretty much taken out my 1/2 mile or more side road to the houses. When I was visited Dan and mel Robbie was on the phone with there friends that were on the way up and they were going to go meet them to bring them out in a car? So funny as they had no clue the road/trail was completely drifted in? I had to plow a new trail to get the to Buddy Hillmen's Highway which was not drifted in. When I got back to old Minnesota I was standing there visiting nad look at the rattle wheel . For some reason they did not have it down so I said, Hey I'm fishing this one and put a minnow Tail hooked on this huge big pink banana looking jig. With in 3 minutes I had the big one of the day 18 1/2. Last night Robbie beat it out with a dandy just under 20.
Last night the hammer and I went to check on snowbear Joshes customers so we took his truck out there, wow what a treat to have good heat in a truck. I'm so use to being in a cold truck I was baking in there. The family he has in his grand ice castle are having a grand time on a grand lake. Scott and Jen were playing a game with the kids. Olivia and Conner. I took a pic of the game as it looked like a fun game for our grand kids. Grama Joe was worn out from all the fish they had caught I think. Grandpa Mike was watching all the lines. really nice family.
joshes other customers called at the bewitching hour to see what the slot size was so they must of started to get some action. I'll swing in and check on them this morning.
Jonny boy spent Monday night in florida and got his 4, crazy any other year and the house would of been burned out after 3 days. He was going to sleep in montana last night so it will be interesting to see how he does as there have been at least 20 fish caught out of that house in two nights. The guys were also doing real good in north Carolina and that little 2 man sleeper seems to have some good ju ju when it come to catching fish. Phil sure built a cozy house.
Hoping to have all our parts by some time Friday to put the red baron back on the ice, It sure is nice having Jonny boy be able to help as I can not work like that anymore. Barny from Kellier is going to braise up the pan as its a specialdeep pan due to it being a fire rescure truck before it became a lake truck.
The last thing is last nights sunset was spectacular, it just went on and on from a gorgeous pink, in to a dark orange glow. I got a couple pics I posted on our facebook page Cookies on upper red lake.
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Just looking back a bit I have been driving out onto the lake since dec 5th. 47 days on the ice. It has caught up on me a bit as the last couple nights I have been a little worn out, falling a sleep sitting up Thursday night after eating dinner.
The hammer and I fished old Minnesota after Jonny boy and I moved every thing Wednesday. I'm proud to say I out fished the hammer. She did lose a fish twice and then it refused to bite. She marked that fish or a fish the rest of the evening in tell we pack it up around 9 pm. I also tried to catch that fish but he would just come up and look them back to the bottom.
Randy and Tammy from Mankato would be arriving Thursday evening to stay in old Minnesota. Chad and his crew also arrived Thursday for north Dakota. Checking in on them on there fresh spot after getting randy and Tammy checked in and they had more then a few all ready in the bucket.
Friday early morning I was headed to baudett to pick up the red barons new drive shaft plusother parts as Jonny boy would be checking in Andy and Andy into montana and Aron and Brad into florida. When I arrived back to town I took the hammers truck out to say good morning to every one and see how they did. The rattle wheels in north Dakota were busy all night while Randy and Tammys house 200 feet away never went off? we have had a decent to real good day bite out there and that still continues. Chads crew had 12 keepers and were planning on having fresh fish for lunch.
Jonny boy and I met back at home where we worked on blue thunder and the red baron. All that went real smooth un tell I took the red baron for a test drive. No drive or third gear? I'm hoping we have a vacuum leak but after taking her out on the lake I brought her back home where she will rest untell I talk to my tranny guy Monday morning. I sure hope the transmission is not damaged for a forth time in 10 years.
Checking in with all the houses, they all had action through out the day. It sure has been a good fishy area.
I had also plowed a spot for Preston and they had a few fish. Jonny boys friend Mannie only had a couple but did head up to low with 6.
Ken and his gal Kelly went down the road a little further then where they fished last week and also were doing pretty well. Lonnie's friend did manage to catch another elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie.
I also pointed a guide named Randy from deer river to a spot where him and his buudy got there 8. They had a great morning bite and were out of here after 3 hours of fishing. I sent Chuck and his wife over there with there wheel house where they had a little morning run and got 4 lickity split.
I also tugged a couple trucks out of snow banks yesterday, if your planning on off road travel common sense and a good number 2 steal shovel can be a tremendous help. Every year I end up picking up broken plastic snow shovels and this year is no different. They may work for banking a wheel house but they sure do not work for digging out.
Buddy Hillmens Highway is again in great shape. This little January thaw always helps the road get a little smoother.
Beacon Harbors berm sank and become a pressure ridge just like the one on the south side of hilllmens highway. There are some spots where that beautiful blue ice is sticking up in the air 6 feet. I had set Lonnie's buddy Rob in a area and they said when it blew water came up there holes. The fishing was not that good there so there plan was to move.
Snowbear Josh has been doing real good with his snowbear trips and again that machine has quite the advantage to go to some great fishing spots. I may take him up on a offer to go do a little fishing in it this week. He is bringing his daughter up today for a little father daughter trip. He sure is a nice guy and has a passion to give people life time memories of fishing trips.
Jonny boy and I will be moving north Dakota once they leave as Paul and hid family will be arriving later today. I'll say good bye to every one else, get all the houses cleaned and detailed and ready for there next moves hopefully all before the big game.
Hillmens Tall Tale Tavern are having a spaghetti dinner/fund raiser during half time so we plan on attending that and rooting for the home team
The sky is kicking over so I'm headed out to top off the generators and hopefully enjoy a upper red lake sunrise this morning, they never get old on such a grand lake that owes us nothing
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What the heck is going on. The fishing sure has been good .
With more then a few fish caught this past weekend. Andy, Andy, Aron and Brad did real well and were happy where I set the houses.
Heading out to catch the sunrise was a bust as the fog was so thick it was hard just to stay on the road. When I arrived every one was packing up for the long drive home. Chad, Jessica, Matt and Andy had there best fishing the first night but plan on coming back next year.
Randy and Tammy also went home with there 8 but have had better fishing. I thought it was great but felt bad that we had fished in old Minnesota the night before.
Brad and Cindy did real well there one night in North carolina . They figured they caught at least 15. They did make a mistake on how many they could keep but we were able to give there fish to a couple other guys that had got skunked.
Jonny boy and I got north Dakota and montana moved yesterday. Paul, Dex, Derrick showed up right on time for north dakota . They had 7 last night when I checked in on them.
Les and his wife arrive today for montana. Its her birthday so I ask Les if he would bring her a German chocolate cake? My favorite.
The plan is to move old Minnesota and florida today and then I'm taking the day off and getting that nap I chase after every year on the top bunk of old minnesota
I talked to my tranny guy and will be running the red baron in low and 2nd gear for now as the damage is all ready done. I totally understand how hard my trucks work and its always part of the business but it still bums me out.
I did get to take white Lightning out on the ice Saturday for a bit and that was a treat. Comfortable seat ,good heat and a radio that picks up the radio station the whole time. She has a couple issue that we will address later in the year.
The hammers trail blazer needs a tune up so that's on the honey do list.
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Getting a nap in old Minnesota was again a bust, I got out on the lake before light Tuesday morning as I wanted to capture one of upper red lakes grand sunrises. I was not disappointed as I set at the end of Hillmens Highway listening to some music watching another gorgeous sunrise.
Paul, Dex, Derrick and Chad were also up early as they came to shore to clean there bounty. they had pretty good fishing to my standards and said they had a good time. They ate a few and cleaned up 16.
Rita and Les checked in Monday right on time. After getting them dialed in a was off to old Minnesota for that long awaited nap. I settled in around 3 and dropped down 2 rattle reels put in a movie and climbed up on the top bunk where its always a little warmer. Just as I drifted off the rattle wheel went ding, ding, ding. I hustled off the bed where I landed a nice 16 1/2 fish. Resetting the line I again climbed back up on the bed ,not 5 minutes later the ding, ding, ding of the phone went off. After a few minutes I was back on the top bunk and ding, ding,ding. 4 o'clock and another fish was about to be caught. Number two another brother to the first one. One more time I re baited , 2 more phone calls one more fish a very healthy 18 incher and my nap time was over.
So here's the new nap plan, turn off phone. After I move the Old minnesota today, do not augur the holes, then I will not be tempted to wet a line. I have Garret arriving after 9 pm tonight with our new hoodies in tow so it will be perfect timing to get in that nap as I start to get real tired around 9 pm every night.
Les and Rita headed home yesterday ,they also ate a few fish ,not sure how many they took home as I never asked when I was visiting and saying good bye. Rita did bring some cupcakes German chocolate man were the tasty.
Jonny boy has been doing a little scouting as the area I'm ruining is bound to burn out at some point. Lets hope doing the cookie shuffle keeps working.
I also was able to help Buddy Hillmen on the hillmen's highway monday. The road extends around 7 miles straight west where it ends at a pressure ridge. we cleaned up the north edge and pushed all the snow to the south plus a round 5 miles a huge area of broken ice was crushed, smashed and moved with a skit steer to the south.
After Jonny boy and I got montana, north Dakota, and florida moved yesterday I came in to take the red baron out and make a few new trails. To my great surprise coming in after giving her a good work out I had drive? I never put her back in low but I sure hope it cleared it self up as a 4th rebuild was not planned in the budget.
Snowbear Josh headed home for a day and half so I'm going to keep a eye on his customers. He sure has been busy with guiding out of that snowbear and maybe next week I can get that ride. hey we may even wet a line in a area I have been trying to get back to for many years?
Its time to check the fluids and fire up the fleet.
One last thing, prayers are need for my sister in Colorado leah as there has been back to back tragedy in her life.
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Thoughts & prayers sent!
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Prayers sent cookie!!!
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Same here. Prayers sent.
Cookie your stories are great. :happy1:
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Prayers sent Cookie!
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thought and prayers to ya.............
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Thanks for the prayers guys . She is doing better and coming to grips with things.
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Wishful thinking I guess as I'm back to first and second gear on the red baron. If I manual shift she will catch drive on occasion though. You just have to love a chevy though. Take a licking and keeps on ticking. I'am a little curious why you can catch drive sometimes so going to give my tranny guy a call.
It was quite the busy but fun, fun, fun weekend. Scott Wakefield from Red lake adventures has a big walleye challenge every year. Its a 24 hour fishing contest ,with a heck of a prize I enter thinking I would have some time to fish? Plan A turned to plan B and lets just say plan B did not get me the winning fish. In fact it did not even get me a fish . Oh well being a gluten for punishment I will attempt to win the whole shebang next year. With checking in on all 5 of our five houses plus swinging in to 7 wheel houses that I either plowed or picked a spot for as I made the rounds Friday, Saturday during the contest I ask or claimed a hole in every house I visited . I even fished with snowbear Josh in the snowbear for a couple hours Friday night. I never got a bite and never seen a fish on any one's electronics? Talk about a cold hand. Still gave it the collage try.
Thursday night we had to late check ins. Jaron and his crew would be arriving after 10 pm with Garret and his crew also coming after 9 pm. Garret and his crew were nice enough to swing by and pick up our cookies on upper red lake hoodies. The 2 boxes were so big the only way to bring them up were to load them in the truck out of the boxes in the cab on there laps and where ever else they could pack them. Talk about hand delivery. They fished in florida and had limited success. I think they only took home 10 fish, all though there were some misses in there.
Jaron and his crew also arrived Thursday with 2 of the guys a hour or two behind. Jaron was convinced he could go meet them when they arrived. I saw that coming and somewhere around midnight I got the phone call, were lost on the lake. Trying to get them on the right road over the phone was a challenge. Once I got then close Jonny boy was out on the lake so he was able to track them down and get them back to north Dakota shack. At some point Friday night Jonny boy again had to go find a couple of there buddies that had showed up in a wheel house after dark. With all these crazy lites on wheel houses it realey gets a little more confusing out there that's for sure.
Jaron and his crew ended up with 11 or 12 keepers? Plus there buddie Chris with quite a few misses and never landing a fish. He might want to take up another sport?
Rick arrived with his crew for old Minnesota Friday morning. This was Ricks second of 3 trips planned this year. By no means did they have any epic fishing. They did land a few but over all it was on the slow side for sure. Taking home maybe 12. Rick comes all the way from Illinois. and sure has been a great customer over the years, even bringing the hammer and I a couple lobster tails and steaks as he must know I get tired of eating walleye all the time. I sure expected better fishing in that spot as blue thunder had to work extra hard to get the house in that spot .
Lucas and his crew were also late arrivals for montana Friday night. It was well after 10 pm when I got them settled in. They did about as well as the other house's with Tyse landing a elusive yet still catchable 13 1/2 inch upper red lake crappie. Then to boot they released it to fight another day or as I say educate all the others. They also managed to take home 12 fish.
We also checked in Ken and his 2 buddies Bob and Berry into florida Saturday on a new spot there happy where there at and said they will be just fine fishing right there again today.
Now all the wheel house. Marlo and Butch with there 2 wheel house ended up on the hot bite with Butch's buddie also landing a elusive yet still catchable 14 inch upper red lake crappie while I was there. That one did go in the bucket though. Marlo also battled a big pike twice with the second time the fish holding on to a 16 inch walleye for over ten minutes before letting go at he bottom of the ice. Another life time memory was made as Butch was in the shack when the battle began and ended. Marlo also caught close to 30 walleye on the spot. With Butch right behind him .
Not sure how Preston did after they moved? He set up where they did so well last time up but ended up moving the second day. closer to marlo's spot?
Lee and his cousin also did will where I plowed them a spot. Nick left his shack so we know he did well.
Ken did not do so well and moved after the first day , the second spot he moved to only produced 5 more fish. I was so surprised as I thought for sure that plowed area was going to be real good.
Jonny boy also had a wheel house friend that tried a spot . They only got one so they moved to another spot where there buddies had done real well only to get skunked.
I also had plowed spot for a gentlemen, I think his name was duey? He only had a couple the first night but he never moved so I'm thinking it got better for him.
Hillmens had the crappie floppers playing some music in tall tale tavern Saturday night . They get together every year. I have been dying to play my harmonica so I was able to jam on one song with them and man was that fun. Even got a couple pats on the back.
The hammer, Jonny boy and I also went out to the icog festivities on the ice out of Rodgers . We met Lonnie and his wife lisa at the tent then went and visited in there dream shack for a bit.
Yesterday was cleaning and moving day as we moved old minnesota and montana over where marlo was. The hammer and I fished there last night from 6 to 9 and never got a nibble all though I did manage to get that cat nap I have been chasing,
Time to get to work as Jim, Sten and Dustin are on there way up for old Minnesota. Plus Greg from Iowa is also coming early.
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Lets just start by saying crazy, crazy, crazy. Mother nature dealt us a big blow, Tuesday Wednesday. With 4 houses rented Monday its been a hectic week.
Ken , Bob and Berry were in Florida one last night. Bob owns a small café in Remer so next time we go through Remer the plan will be to stop and eat. They sure were a mello group of guys. Plus very nice guys to boot. I have no clue how many fish they caught in there 3 nights but they lost quite a few and said next year they do not want the 4 extra holes as there fish kept going down the other holes when they got off.
Ethen and Greg from Iowa struggled to catch fish, they were young guys that work in the conservation department in Iowa. Super nice kids. They were also here for 3 days mon, tues, wed, mother nature reared her ugly side and they never really got to hole hop in there portable.
Jim, Sten and Dusty spent Monday night in old Minnesota and went home with 7 plus a few misses.
Matt checked in Tuesday for 2 nights in montane and figured he caught 15 to 20 plus misses.
Larry and Perry fished montana Monday night and only landed a couple.
Tuesday morning I was out on the lake getting Ken and his crew off as well as Jim and his crew plus Larry and Perry as the big winds and snow were on the door step. Then I would be checking in Matt as well as greg and ethan . We got everyone off as the winds and snow started to blow. Getting the guys all checked in it was like here's the scoop' hunker down , do not leave the shack and call if there's a problem. The crazy weather person actually got it right, must of looked out a window.
Jonny boy would be taking care of Snowbear Joshes customers and hunker down in one of his ice castles. Lets just say man did it blow, first snow with high winds out of the south east followed by dropping temps and stronger winds out of the nw. From all these years I new any side roads would be completely lost. Kelly Birch of Hillmen's drug the main road in the worst of it for 5 hours to save it . Going out on the lake Wednesday morning and hillmens highway was in great shape as the combination of dragging with the winds switching kept it pretty darn clean.
Heading out with the red baron there was a gentlemen stranded that needed help as well as Jonny boy. Taking care of him was no problem as he was impressed with the red baron. I guess he should of seen it 20 minutes later as I blew out reverse and now I was stranded. Marty was up for the morning and came to the rescue as we towed her home and set up a appointment for another rebuild. ASAP.
From the moment I fired up blue thunder I all ready new she was going to get one hell of a work out! Arriving to my half mile road and she was gone just as expected, cross country travel would not be a issue as the wind blew so hard it has turned the snow into brick, 4 foot drifts around everything, 20 feet long and you can walk from one end to the other with out breaking through. Of course this is where the red baron shines? as it parts the snow like the red sea.
Jonny boy and I humped all day. I hit the lake before lite and came off after dark. A new road had to be made with blue thunder just to get the house's out of the area I truly had ruined with mother natures help!
Plowing any wheel houses this weekend is not on the to do list so every one is on there owns. It is not worth my time or where and tare on blue thunder. Blue thunder is all we have un tell red baron comes back home. My advice is watch where your going off road, the snow pack is rock hard unless you drive over a 4 foot drift, bring a spade shovel and please leave the plastic snow shovel at home or at least when you break it take it home with you.
I have a little venting but today I'm just going to bite my lip and hit her hard, "have a grand day" as I know I will be having a grand weekend, On a grand lake that owes us nothing! nothing!
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hey cookie, does that guy happen to own the woodsman or sportsman cafe in remer??????? last time i had food there was pretty good stuff!!!!!!!! :happy1: :happy1:
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sportsman I think his name is bob owned it for 10 years now
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sportsman I think his name is bob owned it for 10 years now
:happy1: :happy1: :happy1:
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Well we survived another weekend and another wind storm on sunday. I have no clue where these weather men get there info but yesterday was not lite and variable winds by any means.
Due to the red baron being down we had to improvise where the houses would be set up. The new road I made to rescue the houses would be the easiest place to set up 3 of the 5.
Leroy and his boys and grandsons showed up right on time friday and we got them all settled in north Dakota and Florida. it was nice seeing them all they have been coming for years. Two of the boys come all the way down from Alaska just to spend time fishing with there dad.
I was able to visit with Leroy when the crew went to town . He has had a very interesting life that's for sure.
Of course the fishing could of been better for them but they did have 7 or 8 laying in front of north Dakota sunday morning, Not sure how the grand kids did in florida as every time I stopped they were gone. They went to westwind for there prime rib dinner Saturday eve and had also gone to breakfast Saturday morning.
Kevin and Rollie rolled in right on schedule also . I had to switch them to montana due to mother nature and we kind da figured this was there 8th year. The high lite for the weekend was a 42 inch pike that Kevin landed. After they released him we think it camped under the house as they never caught another fish Saturday eve. They only went home with 6 walleyes but said they will be back again next year .
Wayne would be the late comer and arrived about 5 pm. As I escorted him out on the lake I felt blue thunders steering was not feeling right. She had just went through two days of hell. I kept thinking on my way out its just my imagination as I steered back and forth like I was warming up my tires for a nascar race. Once I got wayne out to the house we took the flash lite and blue thunder would be spending the night on the lake as the front differential u bolts were loose.
Saturday morning after I made the rounds. Jonny boy met me at old Minnesota where we discovered the u bolts were toast and I would have to make a trip to Bemidji for new bolts.
Arriving back at old Minnesota after dark Jonny boy was hanging out with Wayne and his friend jake. We got at it right away with flash lite's in hand, With temps below zero and a cool breeze. It was sure good to have Jonny boy there as there's was no way I have the arm strength to tighten them bolts. After we got the wheel back on and checked things out I headed home to test drive and park her tell morning so we could check things out one more time in the lite.
Wayne and Jake only ended up with 5 fish but Wayne said they should of had at least 10 as he had lost 5 himself.
Mr weather man nailed the winds for sunday. Before noon sw winds were blowing well over 20mph making another mess of things. As I escorted Wayne off the lake with his car I gathered the generators, and secured things as I had no plans to go back on the lake.
Mean while Jonny boy was able to replace the left front drive axle on white lightning so we would have a second truck with 4 wheel drive.
Yesterday a little cleaning, a full day of plowing, Once again Hillmens highway is in great shape. There's still more plowing to be done but that can be done as we go on and off the lake the next couple days.
I'm still chasing that nap in old Minnesota. With all the house open in tell the weekend I'm hoping to catch a second wind as its been a grind. No word on the red baron other then the casing was cracked and they were looking for a core to rebuild. That bill is going to hurt but I have accepted long ago that its part of the business as they take a beating out there. Once the red baron is back home we will be starting to prep to again chase the elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. Wish us luck as a little luck never hurt any one
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I think its day 67 of heading out on to the lake. After a nice break of not having anything rented all week its back to full tilt as we push to the end of another great game fish season here on the shores of upper red lake. Just like every other year there's been ups and downs big fish ,little fish, lost fish and no fish at all. For some crazy reason more then a few sheephead have been caught this winter? Were up to 10 elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies . I know of one that was released to fight another day the other 9 were harvested.
Marlo tangled in to that big pike twice a couple weeks ago so I put montana and old Minnesota in the area hoping to land him. I'm assuming Kevin's 42 incher was the girl. Andy and Andy had the 40 fish weekend as well as Andy's brother and dad. The hammer has not had the best year but again is ahead of me on fish landed. All though I did wet a line a couple times this week and landed 3 . The plain pink hook with the split shot on the rattle wheel has been the hot set up? Wayne had the hot set up with the hammered gold gemini and then the next time up could not buy a bite on that set up.
A few rentals have came closer to shore again this year and that seems to be a pattern every year. Then more traffic and that bite tapers back off?
Buddy Hillmens Highway is again in great shape after spending two more full days plowing with 3 straight blades, 4 different trucks and only 1 v plow. His big 14 by 28 double decker has made some lasting memories and uses a lot of propane as its 3 times the square footage of any of his other houses.
With nothing rented all week my plan was to turn off the heat in 4 of the 5 houses but just like every other year I could not do it. Jonny boy has done a good job cleaning , he has also had lots of compliments with his customer service which is huge as I strive for repeat customers. It make our job that much easier.
When were on the same page moving houses is not a chore. I have not moved many houses with customers here this year as the fishing has been good enough. I also still get a kick out of vacuuming the fish houses. The new carpet sure looks nice all vacuumed up.
I hate to bring up the fleet Knock on wood. Blue thunder, the red baron and white lighting have all done there duty . Burning up another transmission stunk but was completely my fault. I sure hope I learned my lesson on that one.
I guess I have to throw in a little rant and I hope I do not offend any one. I have no problem plowing a spot for a wheel house but its all most a insult when they offer me a 20 dollar bill. I spend 3 to 4 grand just on keeping my fleet working. At 20 a pop you do the math. That's not even counting gas or fluids.
Sorry not much of a fishing report as it was quite this week. Jonny boy caught quite a few fish but he was out on the lake 5 of 6 nights. He sure has a passion when it come to catching fish.
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Mother nature has just been relentless this year. The winds seems like they never stop. Drifting in trails left and right, up and down, side to side. With the red baron still in the shop poor blue thunder was again getting a workout as I must of plowed up and down the northwest trail 20 times Friday. As I checked in each group I was also trying to get the winds to carry some of the snow away from the ever increasing size of the snow banks. If to much snow piles up she could crack and flood. After getting our last guest checked in Friday. The hammers sister Nancy and her hubby Kevin I headed home to get the sweetie as we would be joining them for a little fishing and fun. It was a treat to visit with them as its been a couple years since Kevin had been up. Last time Kevin was here he was going to be my scout every year at the beginning of the season once I had my houses on the lake.
Saturday evening they took us to dinner at westwind for prime rib. One of my favorites and again westwind did a great job as its was very tasty. They were in old Minnesota and had the worst of the fishing only landing two elusive yet still catchable walleyes and one crazy sheephead. They did miss a few and the hammer lost one at the hole Friday night .
Coming off the lake Friday eve I stopped to pick up a bolt and washer? Turns out I found out Saturday where it came from. making the rounds Saturday morning North Dakota had 3 walleyes and a elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. Jamie and his two buddies went home with at least 10 walleyes 1 crappie and a couple perch.
Eric, Beth and there two boys Izeck and bay were in montana. They got 5 the first day and at least 5 more before they pulled out sunday morning. Another nice family that I hope comes back year after year.
Craig and Spenser were in florida . They were up to 9 but had eaten a couple for breakfast. They were also here for a third night but the winds yesterday kept me from even offering to move them.
Sparky and Trent were in North Carolina for 1 night and got 3.
I also had 4 wheel houses out and about Marlo and Randy got 5 at 4 pm Friday and then 1 all day Saturday with a bonus ell pout. Butch did a little better and did well using a rattling flyer with the dead stick never getting a bite. lee and hid buddie got set up in a spot I have my eye on and had 5 in the bucket yesterday when I stopped to drop off a cookies on upper red lake hoodie.
Ryan and his buddies did well out of westwind Thursday as well as Bo and his group landing 50 on Friday. Tom and his grandsons got 2 at the end of the road.
As I was clearing the nw road Saturday I noticed the plow frame move just a hair. Just like that I new where that bolt came from and limped blue thunder home where I spent 3 hours crawling in and out from under neith as I re aligned every thing and tracked down new bolts that red lake had taken away from me. I had been keeping a eye on all the bolts as she has taken a beating since the red baron went down.
the red baron is now home after we went and picked her up yesterday morning. The v-plow will go back on as we push to the end of the game fish season and also prep for our group that comes every year to search for the mother load of upper red lakes elusive yet still catchable crappies.
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wow where did the week go? Marty and Shelly rolled in sunday for a few nights in montana Marty's favorite house. We also had Joihn Joe and Roman rolling in for north Dakota. With again the winds barreling down on us sunday. I had no choice but to leave north dakoata where it was as well as montana. The good thing was both houses had caught fish so it would be interesting to see how they would do.
John and Joe were treating there dad to a fishing trip for is 80th birthday. Roman has owned a bee keeping operation for 52 years and gave me a quart of fresh honey "Schelonka's Honey " I sure enjoyed visiting with them. They sure enjoyed the house which is always a treat. The hammer was going to make him a cake but was a little under the weather so it fell through. They did end up taking home 9 fish and said they missed just as many.
Marty and Shelly also rolled in sunday. They only managed 4 fish. Monday morning after getting Marty's diesel running he helped me get the v-plow back on the red baron. They were headed to low the woods for the day, they would be back later in the evening.
Jonny boy and I were able to cut a new trail and get all the houses out of the area as the snow has piled up quite a bit on the nw road and was becoming to big of a chore to maintain the rest of the ice season. I also planned on wetting a line in old Minnesota off and on all week,
Of course mother nature had to have her say again so we have been plowing off and on the main road. The winds were just howling out of the south west that most of the snow was blowing right across hillmen's highway just like its designed to do. Buddy's road is in great shape as of today.
Glen also showed up with his wheel house and had fantastic fishing. He told me the secret was a green hook just off the bottom on a dead stick was deadly and lost count of how many nice fish he caught. The hot lure in old Minnesota for me has been a small orange northland forage minnow 6 inches of the bottom. I have landed at least 8 fish plus the ones I lost.
The hammer ,me and Jonny boy had fresh fish out there last night for dinner. I again out fished the hammer but she still loves me I think.
Tim and Kim also showed up Tuesday eve with there wheel house. Last I heard they have caught at least a dozen fish.
We also said good by to marty and shell yesterday as they headed back to lotw. The new spot did a little better as they left with there 8.
Starting today we have another busy 4 days. Sunday every thing needs to be moved as we have Shell chick coming up as well as harmonica Mike on sunday
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Well its always a treat to check on customers and see at least a couple fish in the bucket. I stopped in just before dark to check on Nikki Paul and the kids . They had 3 nice fish with Nikki having the big one so far. Paul was still not on the board but the two boys each caught one.
Joe and his crew only had one but there friends in the wheel house had 3 and 1.
I personally have caught more fish in the last 10 days then I did all season? In fact I put the hammer on the hammer. The only reason I have done so well as it slowed down enough the last 2 weeks I had time to enjoy old Minnesota and fish. I even snuck in two very quick naps, 20 minutes both times. I also do not like the houses fished prior to new customers arrival but have broken that rule twice now. It payed off for me but not so well for nancy and kevin as the third night is hardly ever as good as the first. I was handcuffed a few times because of mother nature and or truck problems. I had a couple houses fished the 4th and 5th night with a little better result.
Today will start off a little busy as I say good bye to nikke and her family we have to get montana moved and reset plus augur 14 holes . I also have to bank Tony"s house the old California. Jonny boy has been fishing just north of it with pretty good action off and on. This may be my next move sunday depending how the weekend pans out.
The hot set up for me this year has been the plain glow pink hook, small northland forage minnow orange and yellow. My genze worms has been a bust but I think its a copy and not the real thing. I also had that crazy looking banana shaped lure that was pink that was on fire. 90 percent of the fish I have caught have been on the rattle wheels as the hammer uses the vex lar more then me.
With only 10 days left in the game fish season I need two big fish for the contest I enter every year on mno fishing forum. Will see how it pans out as I should be able to wet a line off and on starting sunday. Well its getting lite out and there's plenty to do so every one have a great day as Jonny boy and I have a grand day on a grand lake that owes us nothing nothing
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Another crazy busy weekend is in the books. I really enjoy giving out my fishing/what's happening on the lake reports but finding the time has been tough. To say its a grind is a understatement.
I can tell you again as the season winds down I'm never ready for it to end, as I truly love being out there in my trucks, moving houses, plowing the hillmen highway, giving advise, helping other fishermen when they do something silly, Driving into a snow bank, dropping there gun down a hole or any other important object like there keys. Every year all the workers seem to get a little grumpy as fighting mother nature, going from sun up to sunset takes a toll physically and mentally. It also seems I ruffle a few feathers every year and its never my intent so I have to chalk it up as a long season. If I stepped on anyone's toes it sure was not planned or intended as all most every day plan a turns to plan b and c. Mother nature dictates where I go sometimes as well as any plowed roads that can make our job easier. The cookie shuffle worked very well this year as I tell everyone that gets lost in my maze of trails. I'm not a road engineer.
Man did we get overwhelmed with wheel house's this past weekend, any fish coming from southwest had to go threw a gauntlet of hooks to find my fishermen.
I had two wheel house's that I set up at the end of the hillmens highway and was surprised how bad they did. I guess I should of went south not east? The nw road has gotten to much to maintain, there's one lone house out that way that will need a new trail made .
Its all started Thursday as jonnny boy and I prepped for the weekend with Joe, Zack, Adam and his crew arriving fro florida. Zacks birthday wish was fishing red lake, they had a blast. They went to westwind where they enjoyed a fish fry, plus they took home a few fish with a couple even getting a ride in florida fish house as we moved a small distance to put it on fresh ice for there last night sunday. Last year when they came we landed on the elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie mother load? I think they had dreams for a year of repeating that. Every year is different and again this year was no exception.
Ben who proposed in old Minnesota to Shawna 8 years ago were in old Minnesota with there two adorable kids. Louie the fishing machine and his little sister Willa plus there friend Nelli.
They had a blast also with Shawna getting a elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie to boot. They also managed to take home a nice batch of upper red lake walleyes.
Hunter and his two buddies were in north Dakota. It was slow but they also managed to take home a batch of fish.
Charlie and Rizzo were in montana , They were very serious about there fishing and went home with there 8.
Jeromy and his gal were in north Carolina Saturday, sunday . They also managed to get there 8.
Sunday was a very tough day as we had all 5 houses re rented. I was planning on moving all of them so we battled mother nature the whole time as a ne wind with 2 inches of snow made it impossible to see. At one point I was getting sea sick as I struggled to see, With the sky, horizon and the lake all the same color. wow what a struggle.
It took us 7 1/2 hours but we got every thing cleaned, moved.
Mother nature has given us another bout of snow so tomorrow I will let every one know how the houses did the last two days as its time to check the fluids and fire up the fleet
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based on that second paragragh...............boar spends alot of time there!!!!!!!!!! :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao:
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And now the rest of the story.
Once Jonny boy and I got all 5 houses moved sunday, it was back to cleaning up the roads. In between checking in Rick, Bob and John into montana. Shell chick and Jeff into Old Minnesota. Harmonica Mike and his two buddies Shannomn an Rod or Shane? Mike did not bring is guitar so there was no jamming for me. Oh well always next year I guess. We also move North Carolina for jermoy and his gal and a couple of the guys rode in florida as we did the cookie shuffle.
One of the guys commented, "we sure did not move far" Jonny boy figured he may of jinxed them. It turned out all right with the one that making the comment managing to get 3 him self.
Joe landed a nice 22 just as they were leaving Monday morning.
Shell chick is the hammers sister so we visited with them quite a bit and they managed to get 8 so we decided to have a fish fry Monday afternoon . I was kinda worried they would not get 8 more but shell chick is quite the fisher woman and darn if they did not have there 8 when we said good bye yesterday morning.
Mike and his crew in North dakota also left yesterday with there 12 but it was slow in there books, Mike did come over and visit us in old Minnesota Monday night and had a couple beers with Jeff.
Rick, Bob and John also went home with 12 yesterday, Bobby wanted to go for a ride in the red baron so we jumped in Monday and worked on Hillmens Highway for a bit plus made a couple driveways way out towards the end of the road.
I also checked in Terry and his nephew Chad into florida on the same spot as it was only fished 20 hours They were only here one night and got the big fat zero?
Yesterday Jonny boy and I cleaned up the first 3 mile of Hillmens highway. Wow was there some snow on the road, in between I had to clean montana for Dan and his daughter micky. They only had one last night but had missed 5. It took jonny boy and me roughly 6 hours to move all the snow to the south. Once we were done I headed over to old Minnesota where the house must be on the honey hole as I landed 3 fish in less then a hour with one miss half way up the hole. Jonny boy jumped into north Carolina where he caught 5 before dark.
We also plowed a spot for Lonnie and they had 4 last night when I stopped in.
Ken was also getting a few fish where we plowed them a spot, last I had talked to them they were up to 8. plus a couple they had ate the day before.
The plan right now is head out to old Minnesota and wet a line , then Jonny boy and I will be making one more big move for the final game fish season with everyone rolling in starting Friday morning.
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Another game fish season is about to abruptly come to a end . Its lived up to its expectations as being a grand lake. Were up to 14 elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies as they seems to all be loners.
Jake is fired up to get up here as he loves a fishing challenge and has a total fascination with these fish. He encourages only keeping a couple of these elusive fish and I'm right with him. The hammer would love to land a couple this year so we will be fishing after the 26th. My plans are to take my fishing vacation wetting a line, napping and spending a few more night's in old Minnesota. Jake and his crew will be up on the 7th. Last year's hunt had to be canceled do to warm, wet conditions. Plus a collapsed pressure ridge. This year I think were pushing over 3 feet of ice so I expect the hunt for the mother load will be a hoot. Bring extra extensions guys and gals. We also have Steph and her crew joining us this year .
Dan and His daughter Micky spent Tuesday, Wednesday in Montana and had two fish for dinner the first night. They headed home Thursday morning with there 8.
I also had time to wet a line Wednesday night before we moved old Minnesota for Ricks arrival this morning. With 3 fish in the bucket before dinner time, walleye and glazed carrots were on the menu. Jonny boy and I had one fantastic dinner as the honey bunny aka the hammer was under the weather and did not join us. After dinner Jonny boy went to fish north Carolina and I threw in a movie, crawled up on the top bunk for a little nap. The next thing you know a rattle wheel wakes me up at 1 am. Jonny boy said he stopped in at 10 30 pm and I was out like a light. 4 fish in old Minnesota on the same spot since sunday. All 4 fish were caught on the orange single hook forage minnow tipped with a fat head. I have been experimenting for a few years to see if the house's can have good fishing for more then 2 days, I'm still on the fence but it was hard to move old Minnesota as the fishing stayed pretty darn good.
Yesterday was another grind, but such a enjoyable day working out there with jonny boy and no wind and temps above 20. Jonny boy and I moved 3 houses and augured over a 100 feet of ice as we punched out all the house's. I also had to detail montana and old Minnesota. Another 12 hour day on the lake and I would not trade it for the world. Throw in another spectacular pink and orange sunset. The last thing I did before coming off the lake last night was vacuum old Minnesota. Again I just always get a kick out of vacuuming the fish house's. I also get a kick out of cooking dinner in old Minnesota and serving up the bounty on the china dishes I have in old Minnesota.
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Well well another game fish season has came to a close. What a crazy weekend it was. My great plan back fired a bit with the fishing but all the wheel houses I plowed spot' for seem to do pretty darn good. Mean while my poor houses kinda went out with a bust in stead of a bang.
I think the first spot I plowed was for a guy named Dustin from elk river, that tracked me down on the lake. Super nice guys and threw me a 50 for taking care of them which was much appreciated. Some good comradery was made both visit and they were catching there fish hooking the minnows up side down.
Merl showed up and I plowed a completely different spot for him. He threw me a 20, Then the next day had two more of his buddies wheel houses there. They also caught fish?
Chuck and his wife did well in there spot, Brandon and his dad rolled in Friday night, I put them in another new area. They left early catching 14 walleyes and no elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies.
All the other wheel house that found spots where I had set the others caught fish. Mean while down where the fleet was a whole different story.
North Dakota was doing the best with Greg and his two buddies from of all place north Dakota. They did have the treat of landing two impressive pike. They also had 5 walleyes for 3 guys. Throw in a few misses and a fish that escaped. Saturday was clear sky's and slower then slow. They were gone sunday morning so not sure how they ended up.
Old Minnesota was next with Rick, Matt and Matt"s son Joe. They only had 3 in the bucket with a few missed as well. Crazy as the hammer and I fished the house last night for the final walleye night and she landed 3 with at least one miss while I got a big fat zero. All though I did prep and cook dinner while she was saying I got one. After dinner I checked my rattle wheel and there was no minnow? so It must of fallen off when I first sent it down or she sabotaged me while I was out side? All though she would never do that. Wayne and I had a hoot a last year sabotaging each other . From tighten his rattle wheel to cutting his line man did we laugh.
Rick and the boys also left early sunday morning. Not even going home with 2 limits but said see ya next year.
Montana was horrible fishing. Justin, Pudge there wife's Irene and Janet had 1 fish Saturday morning. I expected it to get better after the first night but it never happened ,all though we did get a tip late saturday night. 3 feet off the bottom was working down off of no name lane. I was visiting when they brought a couple lines up Saturday eve, Not 10 minutes a fish was missed with another caught a fat 18 incher. They ended up with 4 more and also a couple misses. they did say they were all ready planning for next years trip
Florida with Mike, Vicky ,Dan and Justine. there house was the worst. I do not want to say it but I think they got skunked? They were such nice people and I enjoyed having a beer and visiting with them. They all had the right set up just a bad spot for some reason I guess.
Jim and his Ice castle did pretty darn good also. They went home with there 16 I think.
I'm not sure how many times its happened but a big snow fall Saturday night with again strong winds yesterday made a mess of things. Some time was spent opening up the road and rescuing a few wheel houses and skid houses that were stuck or stranded. If there was a good note it was a very light fluffy 8 inches of snow sunday morning.
I also have to rescue a couple houses this week. California will again be joining the fleet as I purchased it from Tony as he is moving on up to a wheel house. Darrin house is going to be a different animal as its a home made job shack. The one good thing is its not to far from the main road. Well just like that and its 9 oclock and time to check the e fluids, fire up the fleet and it hit the lake for the 84th day. With lite winds a possible 39 degrees? I may be working on a grand lake that owes us nothing in a tee shirt.
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I'm ready to start fishing... i'll be up this weekend... let's hit the walleyes!
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Its always amazes me how fast the house come off the lake when game fish season ends. I totally understand though as once there home and safe its a relief . Plus no more plowing or road cost the sooner you can get them home your done battling mother nature. On the other hand I seem to find my second wind and head west while everyone is headed east. I guess I'm a gluten for punishment . On the other hand its a time I get to relax, fish and enjoy Old Minnesota. I have squeezed in two naps out there all ready. The hammer, Jonny boy and I enjoyed two nights of fishing, having dinner. We closed out the walleye season, then spent Monday night on the lake looking for the mother load. I told Jonny boy to be watching his bobber at 6:05. I was off by 10 minutes when low and behold I landed my first of the year. A chunking, thick,13 1/2 inch elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. The hammer followed me with 2 in a row with the bigger one pushing 14 1/2. Jonny boy followed up with one more so the mother load was a total of 4. The hammer is looking forward to eating them as they are one of here favorites.
The Dnr did swing in to check on us and said there was 8 people on the lake. So with 48,000 acres I sit her and wonder if I'm going to fish where some one is going to go, someone's way point, or cut someone off .
Buddy Hillmen's Highway is again plowed and ready for the next big wind or snow. Buddy brought his big double decker off the lake yesterday and I can just imagine how he felt getting that monster safe to shore. What a sight as they drove by. Duffy was standing out side on the upper deck and gave me a wave as they drove by. That 1 ton truck with a v plow of Buddy's looks like a tinker toy towing it along the ice road.
Jonny boy and I headed out yesterday to rescue Darrin's house and also rescue California which has rejoined the fleet. After getting them dug out and moved. with the temp close to 40 I got to enjoy a beautiful day on the lake, even working with out a jacket for part of the day. After unhooking California I headed to old Minnesota to again relax for a hour before the hammer and I headed to baudett to do laundry while Jonny boy held down the fort and again waited for the mother load to possible swim under montana.
We did get a great pic from him around 8 pm with a fat possible male that he released to fight another day or maybe tell the others we will let them go if they bite?
I'm on my own part of the day as Jonny boy starts a temporary job in tell he heads to Alaska to work with the greek in Alaska for the summer. The plan is to dig out the last 3 house and get them to the main road for now.
All the house's are wide open for the weekend if there's any one out there that would like to try and land a true trophy fish.
Jake is pumped to get up here as well as Sean as last year get together/crappie hunt got canceled due to mother nature ruining our plans. All the house's have to be off the lake by the 15th so I have a couple weeks to fish and relax.
Sending pics to Jake just fires him up and is hilarious. He dreams of landing these fish. As the days get closer he will have a hard time sleeping . It will also be a treat to see all the guys again.
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Last night our good friend Thad that works for chad benson out of boondocks landing came out to wet a line and have taco Wednesday with us. It was good seeing him. We had some laughs and reminisced about how we met and how he ended up here in gods country,
We did have some excitement with a couple fish lost that may of been the elusive yet still catchable crappies we are after. About 830pm the beeper went off on my rod, the the same time the hammer set the hook on a fish and the fight was on. It took a minute to realize that one of the two, the hammer or Thad had a big pike on. It was quite hilarious as we tried to figure out who had the fish on. The hammer would fight it for a minute while Thad left the bail open, then they would switch and the hammer would open her bail as thad would fight the fish, with me looking down the holes with the flash lite. Once we determined that Thad had the fish we were able to coax it up the hole. I quick pick and back down the hole she went. A very feisty 32 inch pike that thought he was a 44 incher. I expected that the hammer and I would not catch a crappie after releasing him as they have a tendency to lay on the bottom for quite some time after being released. Jonny Boy came over from montana holding a nice 14 incher. He also got one Tuesday night so were closing in a limit caught since moving into that area.
We again spent the night out there but had forgot to get our new license so when we shut her down around 10 30pm. The rattle wheels were pulled up which was nice as I was not awakened by that ding ding ding.
The plan today is moving the last two house over to the new area where we will be spending more time trying to catch these elusive fish. Lonnie and Lisa are here for 1 night so we will be visiting them later tonight. As of now 3 of the houses are wide open for the weekend as there not much interest in catching such a elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie
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What a treat . Phil brought up two of our grandsons Mathew and Jacob. 6 generations catching fish and having fun on such a grand lake. Yesterday I piled up some snow with blue thunder and spent a little time building the kids a slide for there saucers. With some more grooming its only going to get faster today.
Phil said last night this was his first elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. With 2 in the bucket so far. Mathew lost one at the hole fishing with his uncle Jonny boy. Every elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie we have caught the last 2 weeks have been after dark.
Again I was cooking a big dinner, fresh crappie, fried potato's and glazed carrots were on the menu. As I was cooking up a storm I had my one chance and what ever I had on I pulled the rookie move and bounced it off the bottom of the ice. Oh well! The hammer, I and Wayne did not fair so well in old Minnesota. The hammer had one on that may of been a elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie.
She was the only one with a vex. It was quite humorous watching her get ticked off as they would come up 3 feet and they go back to the bottom. As I was leaving the lake last night I spotted my next move. With Wayne's help we will put old Minnesota on another fresh spot I plan on fishing tonight and its someone else turn to cook dinner.
I was the big winner at cards so they will be gunning for me tonight.
I did plow one spot for a guy named joe and his dad. They only spent one night and told me they got skunked? Only to find out they landed 2. Its so funny even though I plowed them the spot. Fishermen are still tight lipped about there catch. Oh well!
The big get together with Jake's crew starts Wednesday so all the houses will be moved one last time starting tomorrow. The weather looks good after last years crazy weather. Time will tell though as today I need to do a no snow snow dance. Looks like its time to fire up the fleet and check the fluids. If every thing works out I may even sneak a quick nap in old Minnesota today.
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Monday morning and again the winds are howling out of the east. Saturday while wayne ran to town with our grand kids, Phil walked over and helped me move old minnnesota to a new spot. He said man does this bring back memories. Hindsight is always s 20 20. After all the fish the hammer was marking Friday night I should of never moved . Other then winds predicted over 20 out of the east it was a good move for old Minnesota for the door to be facing west. Fishing wise it was a horrible move.
Wayne took charge of dinner while I fished and the east winds must of effected the fishing as it was the dead sea Saturday night. Jonny boy did have a big pike on , stupid fish can eat a fish a third its size and eats a half inch crappie minnow. Jonny boy had a gas fighting the fish though. Jonny boy did land a elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie around 3 am . Over the years my observations have found find small scuffit walleyes, big pike and there will be a few elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies around.
Cards with Wayne and the hammer was again a fun time. Lots of laughs to boot.
Sunday morning I was on the lake early to get the grand kids and Phil off the lake. He drove up in his semi so we had to shuttle them on and off the lake. I fillet up his two crappies plus 1 perch and sent them home with a fish meal any way.
I was also able to send Wayne home with some fish as we had a poacher forget his take under there shack when they left Saturday? My kind of liter I guess. I was not sure what I should do with them so I sent them home with Wayne rather then throw them away. I did look at the fillets and they sure looked like walleye. I'm thinking maybe I'm naïve some times when it comes to people poaching as it may happen more then I think? Something to ponder.
It's kinda nice that I do not have to be in a big hurry this morning getting out on the lake.
The hammer and I fished again last night, We again had fish for dinner. I was hoping the second night on the same spot was the ticket? Jonny boy also fished montana. will see how he did later today.
The plan right now is again to dig out all the houses . Get them all cleaned and inventoried for the final weekend. Jake is pumped .
From the looks of it we may have the whole lake to just our crew, There were 3 wheel house on the lake this weekend.
Buddy Hillmen has all ready gotten his houses put in the woods for the season. It look like the big double decker came off with out a hitch, so I imagine that was a nice relief. I know how I feel when mine our tucked away for the year.
I had Phil peek under neigh the red baron. We have some major repairs so I will be babying her the rest of the season. New ball joints , two new tires,plus whatever else we find.
White lightning has a few more issues, as my summer list just keeps getting longer and longer. Oh well its times to get to work as we have 2 days to get re set
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Well we weathered the storm with a direct miss. My no snow, snow dance may of worked? Or the weathermen have no clue. With the warmer temps, then colder temps, then winds out of the east at 30 mph. Buddy Hillmens highway is in great shape for the up and coming weekend.
Yesterday 2 jets came out of no where and gave us a wave as Jonny boy and I were moving a couple houses on to fresh spots. I think they have gone over every other day for the last 10 days. Last week I'm sitting in old Minnesota with the hammer looking out the picture window and here comes a jet right at us. I told Kelly quick look out the window. She looked out the back window just in time. Wow what a treat as Jonny boy said, they never get old ,so impressive.
Today the plan is to reset florida, north Dakota and old Minnesota. The hammer , I and Jonny boy will be doing some barbecued ribs, with bake potato's, as I vacation and try and out fish the hammer. She has me 2 to 1 on the elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. I also built a s ice slide for the grand kids when they were here. I plan on going for a spin or two to get a chuckle out of the hammer.
Jake and the crew arrive tomorrow for a annual crappie hunt, It does not look like I can get to where I would like to be so I'm hoping some one brings a sled. All the crappie's we have caught in the area I'm working have been after dark so that should work out nicely.
I have all ready made a few liter stops on the lake. A red wheel house left 2 buckets, 2 pieces of carpet, a beer bottle and a sh load of cig butts? I just do not understand why people do this.
With the temps down to zero tonight we will be making ice. The bite was horrible the last 48 hrs. so I expect the fishing to get much better. Will see if I'm right.
Time to check the fluids, fire up the fleet and enjoy another day on such a grand lake. who knows maybe we will get another jet fly by as they never get old
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Well after last years fiasco with mother nature it was nice to see a few of the guys for are annual crappie hunt. Being on the lake for over 90 days has a huge advantage as my goal is to have the houses close if not right on the mother load. Every year is different, This year a man made pressure ridge and another that came all the way across the lake at 7 miles hand cuffed us of where we wanted to be. Just like every day out there plan A became plan B. Adam brought a wheeler so he could shuttle out to where we expected to find the mother load. Adam came and got me at the end of the road, as soon as we got to the spot I look back and my headlites got left on. I take Adams wheeler back on the same tracks we came out on? 200 yards form blue thunder I buried the thing in a old road bed. Joff and Bob arrived just in time to help me dig the thing out. We worked 3 different areas with nothing to brag about. The area Jonny boy, Marty and I tried was about as fishy as it gets. I marked fish from the time I wet a line untell the time we packed up. I have no clue if they were perch, walleye or elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies.
Jonny boy and I moved the whole fleet again Friday as we had found a few fish just east of the houses. The moved defiantly helped as Saturday morning a few more elusive upper red lake crappies were caught with Joff and Bob in Florida landing 5 over night.
Shawn and Paul in montana had a couple also with Paul landing 4 over night , Jake and his family lost one at the hole, Adam also lost one at the hole. Mike and Mat that rolled in late Friday night and parked by us got 4 I think.
Darrin and his family landed 4 also.
Joe and Rick staying in California also landed 4,
Richy, Shela, John and Adrea? were in old Minnesota. They were the newbies as shela had given Richy a birthday present of fishing such a grand lake. Richy got his first elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie just after dark. They were pretty excited when I came to check in on them.
Saturday the crew decided to pepper the area we moved the house's to. This strategy has worked in the past hunts. Around 4 30 Joff landed on the mother load and pulled out 15 fish in a row. Sean came over and punched a hole next to his, then they were both catching them, then Bob jumped in on the action as well as the crew in old Minnesota. Shela lost one at the hole and dove all the way to her shoulder but they are so elusive that one got away. They did end up with 7 with two going on the wall.
So a first. Saturday night around 10 I pull up to old Minnesota and they are all outside line dancing. Talk about people knowing how to have a good time. They were all having a blast. They even got me out there doing the chicken dance with Polka music. It was a scene right out of a Minnesota movie. Mean while every one was visiting, house hopping, laughing and just enjoying a beautiful evening out on the lake. A few more fish were caught before everyone packed up sunday morning.
Jonny boy and I decided we will move the houses one more time in case some one wants to come up and chase these very elusive, yet very catchable upper red lake crappies. We know there's still a few around as joff only kept 5 of the twenty he caught. I would say that half the ones caught were released to fight another day. The hammer and I plan on wetting a line a few times this week. I expect Jonny boy will be camping out in Florida every night as he has a passion for catching fish, he also may be looking for that magical moment when the mother load swims right under the house. Stay tuned as I predict "it could happen"
Off road travel can still a bear, common sense and not driving into old road beds is the key. Hillmens Highway is in great shape. I will have both the red baron and blue thunder on the lake. There's plenty of room for me to punch out a spot. Its truly amazing as you watch the snow slowly melt and see all the areas that never saw a hole augured
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hey cookie..............is red lake having the same issues every other lake north of branierd having with water and slush on the ice???????????
just curious!!!!!!!!!
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:scratch: I think when he said he buried the wheeler goin back in his own tracks & that off road travel can still be a bear, might be a hint. :confused: :bonk: :sleazy: ;) :laugh:
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:scratch: I think when he said he buried the wheeler goin back in his own tracks & that off road travel can still be a bear, might be a hint. :confused: :bonk: :sleazy: ;) :laugh:
well they is a crap load of snow up there, and with snow drifts doesnt neccesarliy need to be slush. i read elsewhere a guy posted snow just nort of bowstring was knee deep yet and they havent been out on a lake yet!!!!!
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I was down to the lake for a bit yday & there was no where near as much snow as there was 2 weeks ago, maybe 1/2. Only place we've got it that deep is where we pushed it with the wheeler. I'm still not going out there as I bet there's plenty of slush though.
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I was down to the lake for a bit yday & there was no where near as much snow as there was 2 weeks ago, maybe 1/2. Only place we've got it that deep is where we pushed it with the wheeler. I'm still not going out there as I bet there's plenty of slush though.
:happy1: :happy1: :happy1: :happy1:
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I don't know if Red got the snow like south of there. I know LOTW does not have alot of snow on it.
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Yeah JB, we're about a hour south of Cookie & Waskish. I know that from about Cass Lake or 30-35 miles west of us to east(15-20 miles) to at least around Marcel got in on those 3 or 4 for big snowfall totals we got between 2/18-2/25
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We found some slush where we caught crappies last week? lot of snow in that spot. But over all no slush problems other then around old snow banks and old roads. I could ride a bike to my houses if I wanted to on the plowed roads. I would say the snow has shank half of what it was. I can travel off road with blue thunder as long as I watch where I'm going. I do have chains on the rear tires though. I snowmobile would be the ticket for jumping around looking for the mother load
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Looks like we have about 10 fishermen coming for the last weekend before the houses come home. The ice is in great shape with the snow slowly melting down. Ii have found a couple areas of slush but that has been where a lot of snow accumulated through out the year.
Jonny boy and I moved all the houses one more time, The hammer and I fished Monday night. We had dinner and spent the night with out ever catching a elusive upper red lake crappie.
We gave it another shot last night as I grill burgers with oven baked French fry's. Same house Old Minnesota, same spot we fished Monday and we were rewarded with 3, yes 3 elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies. I'm thinking fresh crappie for dinner tonight.
Mean while Jonny boy was fishing Florida where he also landed a couple that were released to fight another day. Its always nice to educate them as that makes them that much more elusive.
Its been pretty darn quiet on the lake, Yesterday I did see 2 trucks headed down Hillmen"s highway to the end of the road. I also saw one truck on beacon Harbors old road.
The plan as of right now is start bringing the fleet home sunday after we say good bye to the guys.
As the snow has been receding. I have had time to check out a few old spots, so far the liter had been very minimal which is nice to see. Every year I try to go back to every area I have ruined. I like to police the area one more time, reminisce in my mind all the fun and memories that were made on as Dave the old timer told me A Grand Lake that owes us nothing! nothing!
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Wow just figured it out 105 day and counting that I have gone on to the lake. There may of been a day or two that I did not go on the lake but I guess I do not remember when that was. Its been another fun grind if that can be such a thing.
My blogging has not been as much as I would like. After a couple days you can not remember all the little things that happen. Such as as all the fishermen's names that I meet along the way. How many fish were caught and released, who did what, why they drove there, what mother nature threw at us.
I would say that not as many fishermen drove into the pressure ridges or snow berms this year.
There were again more wheel houses this year then last year as they just keep pumping them things out. There were some lake politics that I do not get to talk about, about the same as every year. I hooked up with snowbear Josh as he has become a new friend, I tried to give him some pointers and helped him out where I could.
If I graded the fishing 1 to 10 I would give her a 8, we had 3 really slow weekends in our spots. It seems that they are always biting somewhere on this lake, its just getting to them places can some times be impossible.
If I graded Buddy Hillmens road/highway it gets a 10, but I biased on that as I help with that. Our crappie get together has gotten smaller which is fine as I get to spend more time with the guys and gals. My working vacation started the day after walleye closed. I'm defiantly burned out with cooking the 3 course meals in old Minnesota, all though the cooking space is about the same size as our kitchen just no running water.
I would say we have to be around 150 to 200 elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies since walleye closed. Which is pretty good considering we can not get to where we want to be this year. I've really had to stay on the move to get the houses on new spots to improve the chance of catching such a elusive fish, but I always wonder if I should of stayed where I was.
When Wayne came up this weekend he drove into the maze of trails I have made in the last 3 weeks and said "your right you really do ruin areas" man did we have a laugh about that. They say Laughter makes you younger and again I may of gained a year or two.
Having Jonny boy working with me was a treat, as any time you can spend quality time with your kids is a bonus in life. Auguring holes with all most 3 feet of ice has become quite the chore , he makes it look easy, as after 3 holes I'm spent, I'm not sure how I ever have been able to knock out 40 holes on a Thursday or Friday. I guess I have to chalk it up to age.
He is also a fishing machine compared to me. He had spent every night out there since walleye closed. As our good friend Ole has said in the past. "he is a trophy hunter" you can not catch them if your not out there. Every one of these elusive crappies in my book are trophies'
Yesterday I started moving the fleet home after saying good bye to the guys. I have 3 of the 6 houses staged close to shore. Were going to keep montana and California out there for a couple more days I think, It all depends on mother nature, and how cutting the trail to Hillmens road goes today with the red baron. The houses can be out there after the 19th as long as there occupied and Jonny boy has no problem staying out there a few more nights.
Now for the fishing report, Ryan and his son Ripply arrived Thursday and spent two nights in florida. They were rewarded with 3 elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies. I also had 5 in the cooler so we sent him home with 5 total enough to have a great meal. The hammer and I ate the other 3 out there last night.
Wayne made it up for old Minnesota, I managed to snag one Saturday eve so he also got to have fresh crappie dinner when he got home last night.
jeoff, Jeromy, Larry and Kevin were in north Dakota and montana. North dakota got 5 the first night and Saturday morning, montana got 2 I think, then Saturday night it was the opposite. They figured they caught at least 20 counting the fish caught hole hopping during the day. The crew of 4 only kept 8 or 9.
Jonny boy and I also moved California and Florida Friday , Jonny boy picked a good spot for California and has caught more then a few, yesterday Dick and his wife came for the evening and had 2 last I heard, Dick said both are going on the wall.
Marty and Tony came down from low Saturday and fished in florida they left before dark so no fish for them.
Sounds like Darrin is going to come up tomorrow for a day or 2. Jeoff said he may come back as he has a hard time putting the ice fishing gear away, kinda like me putting the golf clubs or the fish houses away. I took the hammer fishing last night for her birthday but no elusive crappie for her all though I think she may of lost one or two, as well as me.
Hillmens highway is still in good shape, with the lake completely snow covered at this time. we have not lost much if any ice other then the landing which is not that big of a deal as its so shallow .
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It was a little bit of a chore cutting the trail over to Buddy Hillmen's highway . I sware the way our landing is and the shape of the shore line all the snow that blows ends up on our landing. Its just amazing how the wind just packs it in there. It did not take long to get stuck as the snow was up to the red barons door handle. Once I could not go any further I went back around to Hillmens and was able to come from the other direction and get through . But I again got stuck going through Buddies berm. Man did we pile up snow there through out the season.
Once that was open I headed out to start bringing the fleet home. Just taking my time I was able to bring north Carolina, north Dakota and florida home . Since the heat was still on I spent the extra time to go ahead and get them vacuumed and cleaned up from the past weekend.
Jonny boy stayed out there in montana. While Darrin showed up for California with his buddie Mike. Big Tony showed up with his daughter Katrina. Tony was my helper years ago.
Darrin was up to 4 or 5 last night. Jonny boy has picked up just a couple over the last couple nights, Tony and Katrina were also up to 4 or 5 with a couple bonus perch. katrina did catch a elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie and has kept her streak alive, she is 9 as has caught at least one every time she has came fishing with her dad. I'm thinking she is Tonys lucky charm as one year they set up in the middle of no where and landed on a few.
The lake has been pretty darn quiet, all though a couple young guys we met during our crappie hunt were out there. Jonny boy had invited them over to fish by us as they had only caught one that weekend. They showed up that sunday eve and after talking to them they may of landed on the mother load that sunday night before they left.
I drove over to talk to them yesterday as they were just south of us . They had a different trailer so I did not know it was them. They have been testing some new gadgets from Garmin all winter . Turns out they have been fishing up here since they were young. Over 20 years . Two super nice guys. The equipment they are using can pick up fish in any direction from 100 feet away. It will show you if they are 10 feet away or 27 feet away. It also shows bait fish . Its all most not fair? But you still have to get them to bite? You can drill right over where you spot them. Then turn it looking down with another setting. If you had 8 holes you could see all you jigs . Turns out just as I had pulled up they had landed on the mother load not 300 feet from the houses. they figured they caught over 20 . They kept 4 . Then just like that they were gone. With there gadget they spotted them 75 feet away to the sw and moved there Yettie over there for the evening bite .
Coming off the lake last night I'm thinking one more move should be in order. There's plenty of snow to bank Minnesota and montana. I do not have any more fishermen coming up so its time to get California home. Then I need to decide if I want to fish in old Minnesota one more night at least. I know Jonny boy will have no problem staying in montana as many nights as he can. I see it s time to check the fluids and head out to check on the guys and say good bye. Who knows maybe tonight will be the night the mother load swims underneath old minnesota
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Some one hit the panic mode and somehow they were able to dig out the channel going out of the tamarac starting Friday. Before opener. Quite the sight coming out in your boat and driving by two tractors and a backhoe sitting out in the lake Saturday and sunday.
The fishing should stay pretty good for a few weeks. We do have the two cabins here with plenty of open dates during the week.
Saturday day was pretty busy but buy late afternoon the landing was wide open.
I still have not found any morels mushrooms but maybe this week.
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great hearing from ya cookie!!!!!!!! :bow: :bow: :happy1: :happy1: :happy1:
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Another weekend is in the books. The guys in the cabins did all right but the fishing did slow. maybe due to the water getting stirred up from the winds and the cold front that moved through.. today Monday looks like its shaping up to be a beautiful day. ken is here for a couple days and scott and his parents are coming tomorrow for a day or two. The kids will be coming for the holiday weekends so I guess I better get the boat in the water this week. I held off due to the low water but the park was able to jump through some hoops and dig out the channel so I think I'm ok. The access was crazy busy yesterday and I still have no clue where they all come from. I guess its just a combination of other resorts and people with cabins with in 100 mile radius.
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well its been a while since I threw out a fishing report . I had a crew from mnoutdoorsman.com this past weekend. I have become friends with a few of the guys on the forum site so they had a get together up here. Most of the fish were caught in shallow water still . Me and Wayne managed 4 keepers in 4 feet of water before the rain chased us off the lake. barry and I checke d out a deeper spot by the rock pile s and managed 1 with a half dozen sheephead. Other then a family get together over the forth of july the cabins are wide open the rest of the summer.
I did have my first e mail for ice fishing. Wow nothing like planning ahead. We have some maintenance to do the boat ,then the plan is to wet a line again this weekend
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It's not always about the fishing here in what most call gods country. Wayne and I were on the lake sunday morning and ran into Bill from grand raids so he ask why I have not been posting reports. Summer here in waskish is soo much different then our busy winters. As summer heats up the fishing can slow up that's for sure. The big Pike can be fun to target. I do have my favorite summer spots, with early morning being better. Working at the golf course in Baudette Oak harbor golf course and taking care of the ball fields and park here in town keeps me pretty busy Monday through Friday so fishing is more of a weekend deal for me .
I never did well looking for morel mushrooms this spring. The wild strawberry's on the other hand are ripe for the picking. There tough to pick compared to blueberry's. Monday when I got home I was on a mission to go find enough for 2 strawberry sundays. It took about a hour and more then a few skitters but the hammer and I had fresh wild strawberry sundays after dinner.
The blueberry's look small this year and were still green. I have a spot up towards baudett that I need to check out hoping The mother load is there.
We have a pretty good sized bear running around. I saw him or her yesterday. She ran across the dirt road then made a u turn and ran back across the road again. Beautiful looking fur looked to me like a 200 pounder?
Justin my tree trimmer and his friends were up last weekend. They managed 11 keepers Thursday late afternoon evening. The wind switched up Friday and Saturday and the fishing slowed down. I think they may of got another 10 over the weekend dodging the thunderstorms.
Our good friend Wayne came up to help me replace a water pump/impellor on my kicker motor. I had never done that before but with Wayne's help and a extra trip to Bemidji we got her done.
I have 4 older gentleman coming up today so will see how they do tonight. Wayne and I did wet a line sunday morning . She was quite breezy out there. We drifted my go to spot with hardly a bite? Oh well. Mother nature always seems to have a hand in the oven . If they bit all the time there would be nothing left.
We have some family coming up over the 4rth of july so should be getting out a few extra times this next 10 days
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well again its been some time since I have posted any fishing reports. There was a window when the big pike turned on. Last week I stopped at the beach where the dnr were doing some seining samples and I was amazed at all the small fish they caught. It was very cool to see. They have 5 spots they do. There were small 1 inch Quillbacks, sheephead, crappies perch. 3 inch walleyes, suckers, shiners, emerald river and spot tale. they bust of had 300 little fish . To think that was just a fraction of the lake just amazes me. I'm going to try and find a crankbait that looks like a sheephead.
My brother Warren is here for a week ,it sure is nice having such a nice brother as he always brings me gifts, He brought a small speaker that will pick up phone through blue tooth way cool. We did get out and fish sunday and managed to catch 10 fish with only 3 being keepers. Not quite sure where the big ones are hiding but we will be getting out a couple more times.
the lake is still way down . We had a little run of 4 inches of rain and since then barely a sprinkle. Still loving my job at the golf course, free golf is very good .
Hunting season is just around the corner and I expect Bob and Rick to make plans to come up in October.
Had a couple more emails for ice fishing, some people sure know how to plan.
I just missed my goal of canning 12 jars of blueberrys. I'm all ready down to 4 jars
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I just missed my goal of canning 12 jars of blueberrys. I'm all ready down to 4 jars
My folks picked a ton of blueberries this year on our 40 acres near Waskish. They had blueberry pie 3 or 4 different weekends.
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apple blueberry pie is great too!!!! that pie of yours sounds good too!!!
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I personally have not been fishing but have heard of a few fish getting caught.
I can tell you first hand there are fish out there as Tuesday I was able to ride along with Tony the big lake specialist as they pulled there survey nets. Tony said they have been averaging 25 walleye per net. It was quite interesting pulling in the nets . Quite a verity of sizes with the biggest one around 23 inches. There also getting quite a few golden eyes which will be good for the pike. All the walleyes caught are aged and checked for male or females. There were also some pike, perch, sheephead.
I've wanted to get out fishing but its seems I'm at work when its not windy. We will keep a eye on the weather and try and get out. The plan is to pull the boat out mid October at this time so we should get out a couple of times you would think.
Its also time to tackle the to do list for the up and coming winter. Last weekend we were able to pull the gas tank out of the red baron as it started to leak gas at the end of last winter.
I got some new rear shocks for blue thunder. The white chevy has a antifreeze leak so there's plenty of truck work to deal with .
We also added California to our fleet of fish house's. All the houses need to be detailed out.
I expect good fishing again this winter. Every year is different , last years early ice was a nice bonus.
the winds are howling today so no fishing for us today.
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Hi Cookie. I have always wanted to ask you what the deal is with those 5 or so cabins just north of the river bridge. The ones in a line and almost looks like they have a little channel to the lake. Nice looking place that I have just been curious about. I saw a big buck there once on my way home from deer hunting. Nice one too.
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Hi Cookie. I have always wanted to ask you what the deal is with those 5 or so cabins just north of the river bridge. The ones in a line and almost looks like they have a little channel to the lake. Nice looking place that I have just been curious about. I saw a big buck there once on my way home from deer hunting. Nice one too.
I have also always been curious about those cabins.
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years ago that was a small resort The cabins are now private separate owners.
Funny you should mention deer I have bow hunted between there and the river numerous times. I have been telling my hunting buddies a big buck could be shot there but they do not like the set up as its too close to the road
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Well well well its that time of year again. Reports of ice as far as you can see? We have gotten roughly 3 inches of snow as the ice formed so there's a layer of snow covering the ice sheet. I have not seen a picture from space on the internet yet but expect that will show up soon. I expect a few locals will be walking on the ice to start checking things out today? The one nice thing as the first few hundred yards the waters only a foot or two so if you do break through your feet may get wet. Once people start to venture out on the lake please use common sense. A pressure ridge can pop up any time especially when it warms up a bit or the wind start to blow, no fish is worth a rescue operation.
You can see some piled up ice way out as the winds were blowing pretty good a few days ago.
Our good friends Bob and Rick headed home after a week of deer hunting. Bobs son Luke also came up .It was nice seeing Luke. It had been quite a few years since Luke had went off to collage. The area we hunt was pretty bleak. Luke did see 2 deer, a buck and a doe, Bob saw a doe. Jonny boy our son and I also hunted with our bows. We never saw any.
I may get out a few more times when it warms up a bit.
We again had some great meals, a little cards. I did my smothered burritos , Rick did a few meals in his dutch oven.
We got the water drained in the 3 season cabin . I'll get the other cabin cleaned up today. We will also have to drain the water in the laundry room today.
Jonny boy and I got the new gas tank in the red baron just in time before the super cold hit. I'll fire her up today.
I will also fire up blue thunder again today. White lightings water pump is out. We thought it was the lower radiator hose so I dropped the ball on that one. I have to decide what to do about that.
Old minnesotas furnace got a good cleaning and seems to be working real nice .Knock on wood.
We will be firing up all the heaters this week and giving the houses one more cleaning before we pull them out of the woods. We did add one new house this year California, it has 3 beds,6 holes,4 burner stove. indoor biffy.
Every year the reports start trickling in about ice conditions, I personally will not be walking out on the ice any time soon. I imagine I will have blue thunder on the ice around dec 7th give or take a few days.
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And just like that they were walking on the lake. saw Tyler was fishing yesterday, I think its his goal to be the first one to catch the first fish every year. My phone was crazy yesterday with call after call How much ice? What I'm hearing is 3 to 5 inches with walking traffic by the weekend. Of course just like every year the north shore still has open water? With this warm up and winds a crack could turn into a pressure ridge so common sense needs to be used at all times.
Jonny boy and I got a few more things done yesterday and are plugging along, the reservation book is slowly filling in with weekends but by no means full. A lot of our same customers have called which is always a treat. I see a lot of outfits offer houses on shore for early ice . Give us a call and we can also set you up.
Jonny boy helped me move my portable stand Monday so I plan on trying to stick a deer tonight and possible tomorrow . Then its time to hang up the bow for the season.
All the houses are coming along as I do inventory and track down all the pots, pans, silver ware, tvs, dvds, ash trays , comforters, pillow cases, dishes, etc.
We plan on firing up the generators and augers today. I'm sure Jonny boy is dying to wet a line as he loves to fish. He has that passion that he shares with Tylor. The weather would not cooperate the fall with our boat.
I may be adding a grand ice castle this year? It will sleep 4 and also be a non smoking house.
If ryan that was going to stay here in the cabin next week sees this give me a call
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great to see your reports again cookie!!!!! :happy1: :happy1: anything we can do to keep BOAR outta your hair??????? :rotflmao: :rotflmao:
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:cool::happy1: :laugh:
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great to see your reports again cookie!!!!! :happy1: :happy1: anything we can do to keep BOAR outta your hair??????? :rotflmao: :rotflmao:
tell him I changed my number
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:rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao:
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great to see your reports again cookie!!!!! :happy1: :happy1: anything we can do to keep BOAR outta your hair??????? :rotflmao: :rotflmao:
tell him I changed my number
OK!!Will do.
HEY BOAR, COOKIE SAID YOUR SUCH A PAIN IN THE :mooning: he changed his phone number!! :happy1: :rotflmao: :rotflmao:
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cookies only playing along with you to make u feel.good about urself. its called pitty. cookie i just called, good talking to yu. see glenn, turd.
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:tut:fake news.
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tut???
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tut???
yea :tut: :tut:
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oh.tut.
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From what I have been reading and pictures posted the winds were plenty strong enough to move the ice to the north .
I was down at the lake off and on all day yesterday . You could hardly notice it was windy down there as our property has 8 acres of trees. The ice looks about the same as it did 3 days ago but again I have not stepped out onto the ice.
I hope to hook up with Buddy Hillmen today to see what he has to say as we use his access to run our rental operation.
I'm still plugging away detailing the houses. I had blue thunder down at the lake yesterday and Jonny boy noticed a few loose bolts on the drive shaft which was a huge catch and more then likely saved me from damaging a drive shaft "Good job buddy" We also found a little repair Job on North Dakota while we were getting it off the ground.
I forgot to mention a good friend of ours and his son Harry and Ben have a beautiful cabin they are renting this year. The Dahlin Lodge. dahlinlodge.com I think it sleeps at least 6 guys.
I did get out to my new deer hunting spot last night. The winds were moving the trees around quite a bit so no deer last night. I did have a grouse that snuck up to me from behind. He then flushed right under my stand. He all most caused me to fall out of my stand. He was lucky I did not see him as I always have flu flu arrow when I'm hunting with my bow. The plan is to sit again tonight as it was so peaceful out there last night. well its after 9 and we start at 9
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I talked to Buddy Hillmen yesterday around 10 am . As of yesterday his plans were to allow walk outs starting today out of there resort. While I was prepping houses down at the lake yesterday there were about 7 fishermen wondering around out there . My son Jonny boy says he may hook up with a guy staying at westwind that he knows and wet a line today, With any luck we could be have fresh walleye with our steak tonight. I'm still doing a little bow hunting. We moved my stand Monday so I have set out there 2 evenings.Yesterday it started snowing like crazy, The snow tapered off around 2pm. We got about 1 inch. I headed to my stand around 3 and darn if a deer had not walked right under my stand some time after the snow stopped. Plus another came racing through heading south while another was heading east. All fresh tracks after the snow stopped. Crazy deer. I might give it another shot tonight but will see.
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From 2 to 5 to 7? What started as 2 fishermen Tylor and John last week. Wednesday Bill and Hays spent the night and walked out with not much luck. All though Bill is a photographer and said he never wet a line as he snapped pic after pic of the sunset. I caught the tail end of it and should of snapped a picture myself, as it was spectacular to say the least. Not even sure there's a name for the color, maybe blood red? Thursday morning hays was not feeling very well so Bill went out on his own. Down at the lake working I saw 5 fishermen counting Bill. Yesterday it was up tp 7. I have had a dozen calls, how thick is the ice, how's the fishing? Buddy Hillmen of Hillmens resort says around 5 inches, They are allowing walking traffic out to a mile where his road stakes stop. I have heard of 5 fish caught and 1 lost at the hole so that's the fishing report. Some one said it would be a zoo up here this weekend since the south end had that strong wind . I would have to disagree as I have no one spending the night here until after thanksgiving?All the house are prepped down at the lake and ready to go other then a few little things. If anyone stays down there they will have to be cleaned again but that's fine with me. Jonny boy did not get out as he was a little under the weather. I did get a shot at a grouse with my recurve going out to my stand Thursday night. It was a shot through the brush and my arrow just missed. I 'll always give up being quiet when I have a chance at a grouse, either when I'm going, sitting or leaving my hunting area. Years ago I took a grouse in the air with my recurve and flu flu arrow. I would love a repeat of that. Plus the hammer loves the way I make grouse as do I. I was going to pull my deer stand but now have second thoughts . Some venison in the freezer would be nice. I like cutting up steak in super thin pieces then quick frying for a minute steak sandwich. Plus I'm still trying to harvest a deer with my recurve
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The first weekend of fishable ice has come and gone. I read somewhere that waskish would be a zoo this weekend.? Saturday afternoon I counted maybe 30 portables out of Hillmens.The ice breaking up down on the south end may of calmed things down for sure. The dnr was out there racing around on a sled checking fishermen saturday. Not sure how he got on the lake but I'm thinking Hillmens was probably not thrilled to see that . I say it again common sense should be used at all time on upper red lake. Watch the weather. When its a white out on the lake it can be pretty spooky. When the winds blow the lake can have many variable's. When the weather warms drastically the ice can expand and play havoc on things. A small crack can explode into a season long pressure ridge. We did not have any guest this past weekend but I did talk to a few fishermen. The reports were mixed. . One guy I gave instructions to said it was slow , they caught 20 and kept 16? That was all day so 4 guys caught 5 fish apiece or 1 every 2 hours. So I guess that would be slow. I also heard of a few that got skunked. I still have no plans on going on the lake un tell I can drive out with blue thunder. The day I drive out there means I will be on the lake every day tell mid march so I'm never in a hurry. Plus my mentor cousin Pete taught me long ago 17 years to be exact slow and patient.I did squeeze in church on sunday. I always feel a bad when I keep skipping, then I end up prolonging going. A few nicer deer were taken the last few days . I had a huge grouse in my sites last night and did not take the shot. I think it was the biggest, fattest, grouse I ever saw. No deer from my stand but more tracks so its very encouraging. My plans were to pull my stand but I'm going to give it a few more shots as the peace and tranquility of sitting there is very relaxing, Plus if I see a deer you get that adrenaline rush . Today the plans are to button up the fish houses and break them loose, I'm thinking they may be going on the ice by the weekend of the 7th. I have added on a ice castle this year but have not named it as yet, They are bringing it up the end of the month.
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I saw on face book beacon harbor is allowing wheelers and sleds. I never got to talk to Buddy hillmen yesterday but I imagine its getting closer for him to also allow wheelers and sleds. Jonny boy and I got all the house's ready to move. once we hit that consistent 14 inches of ice on our end. The temps dropped to -2 last night, You would think that should of made a little more ice.Then it started to warm up and we got a sprinkle of new snow. I would say less then 1/2 a inch. I'm hoping to get out in the woods again tonight. At least for the last hour. I'll plan on still hunting to my stand with a flu- flu arrow knocked in case I get another chance at that fat grouse I saw. This time I'm not going to hesitate and take the shot asap. I counted just a few pop ups out there yesterday. I did see two wheelers come from the south but have no clue where they got access to the lake, I imagine it may of been someone with a cabin on the shore line. We should see quite a few more fishermen after thanksgiving, I expect it will be a little bit busier that last weekend. I do have a few friends coming up Friday, so I will have a first hand report on how they do. Knock on wood both blue thunder and the red baron are in good shape as of now. The little grey kia needs a little work but it does have good heat so that's a plus. I see it s 9 so better get to work
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With the ice reports all over the internet , conditions different at every access. I would say its best to check reports on the access you are planning on using. Most if not all the phone calls about ice conditions and fishing reports can be found on social media . We still have plenty of openings for fish house rentals . I be leave Hillmens also has plenty of rentals this season still open , Including the behemoth double decker that sleeps 10 to 12. There phone number is 218 647 8504 We use Hillmens access during the ice season, I talked to Buddy Hillmen this morning . He will be allowing Wheelers/sleds out up to 2 miles. He also said to mention to drive slow and use extreme caution. as there is quite a bit of rough ice. With another lite snow and breeze the rough broken ice will catch snow and may be harder to see. Beacon Harbor is also allowing wheelers and sleds I be leave. They did have a fishing report on there facebook page. Westwind the premier resort here on upper red lake is well organized and also ready to go. There were just a handful of portables on the lake yesterday. I think I saw a couple out of beacon harbor, 2 out of hillmens and 4 or 5 out of westwind. I did get out again last night deer hunting. I also had a shot. I missed. I'm shooting a recurve with no sites . I've taken a deer with a shotgun. 20 gauge, a rifle 30 30, a compound bow. So I went back to the recurve a few years ago. Man do I have the stories of all the misses over the years. It seems with a bow something always goes wrong. I can say that I think hunting with a bow makes you a much better hunter as you have to plan for shots under 30 yards. 2 years ago I was set up just off a snowmobile trail. If a deer walked by me it would be a 15 to 20 yard shot. A small buck appeared to my left. He was coming right down the trail. I stood up. Grabbed my bow as I watched him through the corner of my eyes. I only sit about 5 feet off the ground, with no cover to speak of my plan was to let him walk by, I would take the shot just after he passed. As he slowly passed by I took one step to turn as I drew back . The seat tipped down and spooked him. Off he went. Standing there reviewing what happen I thought? Man should I have pulled back while he was more in front of me. I thought would he of seen me move. I reenacted what happen pulling my arrow back , aiming right in front of me again, thinking would he of seen me make that move. I repeated this about 5 times. I then hung up my bow and set down. Not long after I here a ruckus to my right. I stand up ,look down the trail ,here comes a nice 10 pointer. Full speed.! He is going to run right where I was practicing aiming. I pull back and let her fly. My arrow wacks him right in the rib, he never even flinches or slows down. I watch him run down the trail with my arrow sticking in the side of him as he turns the corner. I get down , right where I hit him there"s deer hair all over, I get to where he jumped a fallen tree , more hair, I get to where he turned the corner and there' s my arrow bent in half with no broadhead.We never found a drop of blood. Bob harvested the same deer 4 days later. I found a small hole in his hide directly on a rib bone about the size of a pencil eraser. Now back to last night. All of a sudden I here what I think is a deer running through the woods. I grab my bow, about 3 minutes later here comes a doe walking right where I expect, She's going with the wind. She is going to walk right where I have shot a flu flu arrow every night I've set in that spot. I always pick a spot and fling a arrow before I get down. She had no clue I was there, I pulled back as she stepped out and my glove is right in my sight line. It throws my concentration off, I ended up panicking and flinging my arrow rather then resetting . I'm glad I missed , another lesson is put in the books. Take off glove? Different glove? Hunt when its warmer so I do not need gloves, The list goes on and on. Its the thrill of the hunt. Well everyone have a happy thanksgiving cookie
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great read cookie, have an wonderfu t day tomorrow! lov ya my freind!! give kelly a huggie! for me!
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Good story Cookie.. :happy1:
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great read cookie, have an wonderfu t day tomorrow! lov ya my freind!! give kelly a huggie! for me!
cookie, good thing you changed your number.................only way he can contact you is through the website, huh!!!!!!!!!!!! :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :mooning:
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ooooooh glenn...glenn glenn glenny, glenneroo, glennopolis,glennpheranussphinter umm umm um er
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ooooooh glenn...glenn glenn glenny, glenneroo, glennopolis,glennpheranussphinter umm umm um er
:nerd: :nerd: :nerd: :rotflmao: happy Thanksgiving buddy! :rotflmao:
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Well, wel,l well! We were gone for the thanksgiving but did have a few fishermen stay here with mixed results. Stacy and Craig were walking on to the lake they did not do that well. Hint, hint. Joe and his crew had a sled and wheeler. They did real good at two different resorts.I have not talked to Mel ,Dan and crew yet, The social media/ facebook has exploded with great reports, I always find it funny you never see the bad reports. Also not sure how the dad and son that stayed in old Minnesota did . I be leave they said they did all right when I talked to them on the phone. From what I have saw. Beacon, Hillmens, Westwind as well as all the resorts down south had great fishing. As of right now the houses will be on shore next weekend, I expect side by sides will be allowed out by then, if the cold snap hits us. Were wide open if some one needs a place to stay next weekend. I'm headed down to get them all wiped down and vacuumed in a bit. So here is something I offered years ago. What if you arrived for a 2 night stay in one of our sleepers. Upon your arrival there was a beef roast with all the fixings cooking in the oven when you arrived. I could make that happen if requested . Of course there would be a extra charge. So if anyone is interested give me a heads up and will go from there. Since I'm not heading on to the lake un tell I can drive blue thunder I thought it would be fun to share a few more of my deer hunting stories. Most are misses with the bow and arrow but still fun to tell. Plus who knows maybe my mistakes will help you score. The greek and I were camping /hunting up north. It was mid Oct. The weather was a balmy 70 degrees, We had hit our stands early that morning with no luck . After a hardy lunch cooked on a open camp fire, we kicked back to come up with our evening game plan. Our plans were set so we both decided to take a little nap before going back to our spots for the evening. The next thing you know the greek is waking me up. Quick its all ready after 4 and we have a 1/2 mile walk to out stands. I jump up ,gather my gear. I think man I need to have something to drink so I grab a can of pepsi. I never bring a can of pop to my stand . I'm all set up in my stand, when I decide to quietly open the can of soda, I sitting in a portable with no where to set the pop down so I just sit there and slowly drink it. Now I'm sitting there in a tree with a emtpy can. I think I sure do not want to drop it under my stand so I decide to put it in my chest pocket. About 15 minutes go by. A nice doe appears to my left, she is going to be in perfect range. I stand up . Get positioned , as she step from behind the brush, right in my shooting lane I draw back. The pop can crinkles in the dead silence of the woods, This was not a sound the deer liked as she was gone before I ever had a chance to fling a arrow . Another mistake was made, hind site should of never brought a can of pop, should of just dropped it under the tree stand. oh well This was 30 years ago ,and I've never brought another can of pop to my stand to this day.
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good story Cookie!!
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LOL thanks Cookie.
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hey cookie, lovenyour stories! lori and i will take u up the beef roast for next friday!!
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Resorting to beef roast instead of fish says alot about da boarski!! :pouty: :happy1: :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao:
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Hey Boar are you really serious about roast?
Was able to say goodbye to everyone this morning before they hit the road. Spent a couple hours cleaning up the shacks so I could shut down the heaters. This weekend, Ryan and his crew will be coming for the cabin. We have Boar and his wife coming up this weekend also,. Sounds like There friends are going to stay in montana for one night. Old Minnesota is still open as well as California. There is also a chance that north Dakota is open. Jeff will also be bringing his ice castle for us to rent this year. I know it sleeps 4 with no problems. I'll have more details once its here. Looking at the forecast there is a chance that we will be getting the house's out on the lake the first week in Dec. If all goes as planned they will be fishable by Dec.,7th. For now we will just keep them in there spots tucked away in the woods on the shores of upper red lake. I would say there were less the 30 portables out there yesterday that I could see from our end.I would expect even less today since its back to the grind for most. Also looking at the forecast I may get out on the deer stand again. One of my favorite ways to deer hunt when I was younger was still hunting through the woods. I took my first deer a 200 pound field dressed 10 pointer hunting this way with a 20 gouge shotgun. I also took my first deer with my 30 30 still hunting into the wind. Here's another story from my many adventures trying to harvest a deer with my recurve The area I took my first deer was close to Wyoming Minnesota. I had a trail through the swamp that I had slowly made with a set of clippers. The trail came up onto the point of a oak tree ridge. With a lite drizzle/rain that fall afternoon my plans were to still hunt through the swamp up onto the ridge. Just as I took my first step onto high ground I spotted a doe leaned up against a big old oak tree. She was laying at the base. She had no clue I was less then 30 yards from her. I was totally into the focus mode. As I pre paired for the shot my arrow was all ready knocked on the string. I took my time, I drew back, picked my spot and let her fly. The arrow hit just above her back, she basically had to crawl out from underneath the arrow sticking in the tree. As she jumped up at least 7 other deer jumped up!!!. Seemed there was a deer laying next to every big oak tree . I was so focused on that doe I must of had binders on as I never saw any of them. When I pulled my arrow out of the tree the broadhead was buried into the tree , so it broke off. I imagine if the tree is still there the broadhead is still in that tree. There was a small pile of hair ,with not a single drop of blood. Lesson learned, when you see a deer be aware. There may be a heard if you take the time to look around
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She been a little more quiet here on the shores of upper red lake. There has been a few fishermen out there everyday that I can see from shore. I have also heard from the grape vine that there catching some fish, We do have some guest starting to arrive today through out the weekend so I should have a few more first hand reports coming . I did talk to Buddy Hillmen yesterday, Hillmen's is going to" HOLD OFF" allowing single axel ice house out due to the 3 inches of snow we received last night. Wheeler/side by sides/ sleds are a go.He does ask that you stay on this side of a active crack out 2 miles or so. He also still has some on shore lodging. I also ask about the behemoth, his giant double decker house. The plans are to again have it rentable on the ice this year. If I remember right it will sleep 10. There number is 218 647 8504. I'm looking at possible getting on the ice towards the end of next week but mother nature may throw a wrench in our plans with this snow. I did have a customer take me up on my roast in the oven with taters,carrots and onion when you arrive. It will be interesting to see how that turns out. I expect they will walk in and say man does it smell good in hear. our plans this week are again to work on getting organized for the season. We have to go over to Davids in gather some 2x4 for blocking. They need to be cut up and that's always a chore since I do not operate a chain saw.White lightning needs a water pump ,but I need to put that off for a bit. Blue thunder got her first work out as I had to go plow the gas station out this morning as well as our property. I was sure hoping we would not get any snow un tell I had the houses out on the lake . I knew I should of did the no snow snow dance. Oh well you would think I would learn but I realize after 17 years mother nature is and always will be the boss here on such a grand lake. Jonny boys buddies were up last weekend and snagged a elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. My plans are to give it another shot with the bow and arrow this weekend. I picked up some new gloves, and a couple hand warmers. Years ago I had built a deluxe deer stand up where the greek and I hunted for years.. Yes here come another lesson in not what to do. I had gotten to the stand before light . a lite snow was coming down but as day broke it turned into a mix of snow rain and ice rain. I was hunkered down in my stand with my bow hanging on a branch, The bow was completely covered with a thin coating of ice. A nice 6 point buck magically appeared coming straight towards me. I slowly grabbed my bow as the deer had no clue I was sitting 9 feet up in the air. He was walking right at me so I had no shot. After what seemed like a eternity he was standing right under my stand. My heart was pounding . I thought for sure he could here my heart thumping 10 feet away. He slowly started to mossy away from me . I was going to have the perfect shot quart ting away from me. As I raised my bow, I drew back, it sounded like a broken chandelier hitting the ground as the ice shattered. A sound a deer wants no part of has he bounded away in two giant leaps. Lesson learned if its ice raining you might want to keep the bow from freezing into a popsicle.
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I love reading your stories and updates Cookie!!!
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X 2 :cool: :happy1:
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well I was able to visit SnowbearJosh for a few minutes last night.. He brought his kids and dad for a red lake adventure in his sno bear. They ended up landing about 20 fish with his 3 year old son Levi landing 3 walleyes. Joe, Carl and Chris headed to the south and crushed the fish . Chris said everywhere the drilled hole was a solid 10 inches of ice, so were defiantly getting closer to hauling the houses out onto the lake. Good old mother nature threw a wrench in all my plans yesterday as I spent a better part of the day plowing. After the store and our place I headed over to Hillmens to clean up the landing. Buddy Hillmen did start on the road with a stripped down plow truck. There were 3 times as many fishermen out there yesterday then Wednesday for sure. I expect a very busy weekend . My as well share another hunting story. The first year I ever hunted I was 17 years old, My step dad/dad bought me a marlin 30 30 lever action. I ask if we needed to sight it in? He said nope they come sighted in? Off we went to his hunting spot . Opening morning we headed own a trail in the dark. I had no clue about hunting deer. We came upon a clearing, with the wind blowing 20 miles a hour right into are faces. We just stood there as it got lighter and lighter. After maybe a 1/2 hour of day light my dad says lets walk across the field to get out of the wind. We start to walk across and two deer jump up that were bedded down right in front of us. He threw his 44 up to his shoulder and fired off a couple rounds as I stood there in aww or shock?. As the deer made it into the woods he says I think I hit one? You stay here and I'll go in the woods and check. I'm now standing there all by myself with no clue about hunting when all of a sudden this deer come out of the woods running right past me. As I bring the rifle up instead of pulling the hammer back I calk the gun and eject a round out. I then panic and start looking for my shell on the ground as the deer runs right by me. I did not learn my lesson, two days later I did the same thing ejecting my bullet. Then looking for it on the ground rather then shooting at the deer
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:rotflmao: :rotflmao: :happy1: :happy1: Good one Cookie.
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I guess you would call it maybe a fishing frenzy. We had a few guest stay here on shore in the houses. Boar aka Jeff and Lori figured they landed 25 fish through out the day after moving once. They kept there 8 and came off the lake before dark where they headed to Westwind the premier resort here on the shores of upper red lake, where they did the hook and cook for 10 dollars.
Mike and Jane also got there 8.
Jeff and his 2 boys brought up the ice castle I will renting this year. I have not nick named it but its a beauty. Were going to go over some details later today.
Wild Bill came up with His son Brandon and a couple of Brandons friends. They did not do as well but went home with a few.
Jake and his son Trent also came up and did well. Trent is in 4th grade , he out fished his dad . Plus he shot his first duck this year. We chatted about kids hunting and fishing, Nice to see for sure.
Ryan and his crew stayed in the cabin. They also had great fishing.
Brent and his buddy Tony ? stayed in Old Minnesota. They struggled the first day but managed to find a couple yesterday.
Just as I figured she was going to be busy this weekend. I counted well over 100 vehicles at westwind another 50 or so parked at Hillmens. Looking out on the lake they were pop ups strung out all along where beacon harbor has there marked trail.
Our plans are to clean the house's for the third time. Then I will be staging them on the lake for the up and coming weekend. They may or may not be out in fishy water, as we still need a couple more inches of ice. I have had them on 12 inches but they do flood.
I did spend some time over at Hillmens resort working on the main road. Just like every other year, you could land a 747 on it if need be. A mile out there is a active pressure ridge. From the looks of it we will be dealing with a bridge a good part of the year. I could be wrong which would be a good thing.
Good old mother nature, It can be tough wishing for super cold but its the nature of the beast. I guess I need to now start doing a come on cold, cold dance?
The snow we got will make banking up the house nice ,as I like to bank them like there's no tomorrow. Its more work but well worth it.
The strong ne winds put a damper on my hunt as the wind was not favorable for my stand.
I hope everyone is enjoying my deer stories , who knows maybe one of my mishaps will help you harvest a deer.
I had placed a stand in the middle of a swamp. There were a few trees just large enough for a portable. I have always hung my stands about 6 feet of the ground.
I had purchased my first grunt call. I had never used one. There I was sitting in the bare tree in the middle of a swamp with no cover other then the tree truck which was just round enough to support my stand. About 75 yards just to my left I see a nice 6 point buck or so, angling away from me. I pull out the grunt tube and give it 3 quick bleeps and he stops in his tracks. He looks my way. Hmmm I think? I bleep it a couple more times, he turns and starts trotting right towards me. He never stops. He trots right at me where he stops not 10 feet away. Looking straight at me we have what seemed like a 10 minute stare off, he huffs, he puffs, he stomps his hoof. Over and over. I 'm holding my bow with a arrow knocked, again my heart is pounding. He finally has had enough of this blob in a tree , he gives out a big snort and bounds away.. The lesson I learned that day . I always carry a grunt tube. I constantly bleep on them while sitting on stand in the woods. You just never know when a deer is with in hearing range but you do not see them.
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From my observations, and from my guest, I would have to say the lake got absolutely pounded this past weekend. I even ate some fresh fish this past weekend, even though I still have not wet a line. Yesterday from the sounds of it was a bit slower, but that only makes sense as there were 1/4 of the fishermen from Saturday. For some reason you never see the poor reports. I guess I should of wet a line to say I did not catch any.
Our friend Jeff brought up his ice castle for us to rent so last night we went over all the bells and whistles.. Wow what a unit. They have thought of every thing on them ice castles. Even though the house is not themed per say were going to nick name it Kentucky. A customers/ Kim joy and Tim bob had ask me if I would name the next house Kentucky. Kentucky will sleep 4 very comfortably.
I got Florida and old Minnesota recleaned yesterday. The cabin ,Montana and north Dakota will be on the to do list today. The cabin is wide open un tell Friday.
The plan as of today is start getting the houses out of the woods , out on the ice where they will be staged waiting for more ice. I would say crunch time is just around the corner. I sure would like the houses on 14 inches of ice to start the season.
Hillmen's highway is shaping up nicely, Buddy Hillmen has staked it out quite a ways. I will have more info tomorrow once I talk to him.
I'm planning on getting out to my deer stand tonight as the wind will be in my favor, I've never been a trophy hunter but feel I have a knack for finding there hiding spots.
Back when I did a lot of still hunting. I was hunting the woods I had taken my first deer. I had been over that oak ridge many, many times so I knew it very well.
I had cut a trial through the swamp every time I walked through from that direction. I would trim branches and move obstacles. I had walked the perimeter many times over a few years. That morning I was basically walking the same route I had when I harvested my first deer a heavy 10 point 200 lb. field dressed deer. As I was working my way through the oak trees I spotted him before he spotted me. I could see he was another big bodied deer with a nice rack. My heart began to pound. He was tailing away from me about 60 yards away. I would have to get closer for a shot. As I watched him through the woods. I did my best to be silent and close the gap. After maybe gaining 10 yards all of a sudden he was gone. I had for gotten that there was a low spot in that area. I took a few more quick steps and all of a sudden he was standing right in front of me 30 yards away. I froze but I was busted. He snorted, whirled around and took off like a rocket. My first thought was! I know right where he is going. I take off running threw the woods with bow in hand. I get to where I expect him to come out. Totally out of breath! Seconds later he comes off the oak ridge running right past me as I'm standing there so out of breath. I can not even get my bow in position. I could of reached out a poked him as he ran buy.
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so is boar letting you rent his house so someone can get it to smell like fish??????????? :scratch: :scratch:
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jeff wengler, anothe totally different individual with intellegence far abouve yours.....
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jeff wengler, anothe totally different individual with intellegence far abouve yours.....
so where does that leave you?????????????????? :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao:
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right along side u buddy.!!
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right along side u buddy.!!
:bonk: thats a scary thought!!!!!!!!! :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao:
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Its a hub bub of activity here on the shores of upper red lake. All the outfits are moving smaller house out for the weekend. They all have different rules for the ice roads so you need to check with the resorts your going out of. If I'm not mistaken Hillmens is still at side by side and single axle fish houses. up to a mile out. There's a pressure ridge that has been active since it formed so There a good chance we will be dealing with that all year. You hate to wish for super cold weather but its the nature of the beast so that what we could use.
I have been on the lake and augured 2 holes. 1 I measured exactly 11 1/2 inches the other spot a mile away 12inches on the button. That was yesterday before last nights colder temp.
Lonnie was up with Kriag. They managed to take there fish home. I think they tried 3 spots in two days, last night they did go have a burger at westwinds.
I now have all the houses staged in front of Hillmen"s for the weekend. What a great feeling being on the lake again for my 18th season. A few of the houses will be fished this weekend. while a couple others still need to stick close to shore. The houses are set up pretty shallow so will try and be extra quiet with the lights toned down.
We put a new gas tank on the red baron this late summer. I mentioned to my buddy wayne. I should just put a new fuel pump in it. We decided no if we need one we could always take the one out of the other tank as that is also going to be replaced. Well after driving it a round all fall she puked down at the lake this morning. " dirty dog". I'm hoping its just a bad connection .
No deer story today
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Well the season has officially started for us . Jonny boy and I spent Friday morning getting florida, monatna , old Minnesota, blocked, banked and augured .
Jonny boy then spent the rest of the afternoon hanging with Paul and Quinten. They were here for two days with there snowbear.. They managed to find a few fish but I was surprised they did not do better.
I got all our guest checked in, They all brought wheelers so I escorted them to the house’s. Mike Don and Chris decided to just kick back in Montana and hit it hard Saturday. They managed to get a couple of fish for dinner. Saturday they headed out deeper but did not do that well. They did manage to get 3 more out of the house.
John and Rick checked into florida fish house. They also managed to catch a couple in the house through out the weekend. They did manage to find some good fishing.
Wayne and I fished old Minnesota through out the weekend. We ended up with 7 keepers two of them be over 17 inches, We also figured we lost twice as many so I thought it was good fishing.
Jim and Jarrod tapped into our generator saturdya and managed to get a few fish also.
North Dakota was next to shore as a cabin. 4 younger kids Chris, Austin, Dan, and Drew stayed there. The first day they did not do that well, Saturday was a different story as they did much better.
After saying good bye yesterday. Jonny boy and I proceeded to move florida, montana and north carolina . I checked Lorenzo and his gal Jenel in around 3. When I stopped into to check on them they had 2 and had missed a couple.
I’m not sure why the snow is like it is but I can not remember snow banking like this . Its like perfect, I would say its like a lite sugar sand. That would be cool if it stayed like that all season.
Jonny boy spent Saturday eve fishing With Chris, They did real well some where to the south.
We did gain 2 inches of ice as I measured 14 inches yesterday, We will be digging out old Minnesota today and move it to a new spot. California and North Dakota will also hit the ice in the next day or two.
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She was a bit chilly this morning with a brisk -1. I'll measure the ice where the houses are later today . I expect we have to be getting close to 15 inches but will see.
There been quite a bit of activity on the lake with all the resorts / outfitters getting fish houses ready for the up and coming weekend.. We did have some one cancel florida fish house for this weekend. I'll be heading out in a bit to dig her out and move it to a new location. I did have Lorenzo and his gal Janel in there for two nights. They had 6 yesterday morning. Lorenzo said the rattle wheels were going off in the middle of the night also.
Last night was pretty quiet out there. Lorenzo did wake up to quite the mess as all the rattle wheel lines were tangled. He said he learned his lesson and next time he will only leave down 2 lines.
Bobby and Darrel spent the night in montana. Very slow even thought it was on a brand new spot. Stupid fish.
Dan showed up to stay in old Minnesota . He had 2 on the ice this morning. I'm hoping it was just a slow day but will see. Dan and his buddy are staying 1 more night.
It going to get down around 5 tonight then its starts to warm up again. Tough making ice but we have to remember its only dec 11th. Its best to check with the resort your going out of if your coming up as they all seem to be on a different page.
I did talk to 2 guys coming off the lake this morning that fished out further. They only got one so Minnesota did twice as good.
I also plan on getting out hunting again, so I'll share another deer hunting story.
I was walking the fence line of a field when a deer snorted at me. I could not see him in the woods but he was stomping and snorting. I have gotten pretty good of snorting back . Figuring I had nothing to lose I stopped and snorted back, he then snorted again. We went back in forth for at least a minute, Then I heard him storm off going way from me. He ran about 50 yards and snorted again. I again snorted and I heard him come running back through the woods breaking branches, pounding his hoofs. I'm standing in the open with a line of pine trees just to my right and the fence and woods on the left. He then takes off again but this time he gets to where he was before. He comes flying out of the woods jumping the barbwire fence. He runs into the pines trees and coming running down them towards me. When he gets to the last pine tree he runs right up to me. He's just a small fork horn buck. He hits the brakes about 6 feet from me . I start to pull my bow back and he whirls away and runs off. It was the darnd est thing.
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Bill , Theresa spent one night in Montana, They managed tow get 2 walleyes under 17. 1 around 20 inches , They also landed a 36 inch pike. So all in all Not to good.
The fishing has been way better out deeper , but with this warm up and my houses weighing 5 to 7 thousands pounds. I need to use common sense and stay on this side of the pressure ridge for now.
When the weather warms the ice expands , the weakest link is the pressure ridges and can become quite active.
Its just getting light, but from what I have heard through the grape vine the lake was gowning and popping last night with a couple new breaks so if your coming up please check at the resort you plan on accessing. There crews are out there everyday and know more about what"s going on with bridges ,cracks and areas that should be avoided.
Right now the temps are just to mild to make much if any ice. I was surprised to measured 13 1/4 where I have old Minnesota. I imagine there's a bit more snow closer to shore so were seeing a inch or more further out where's there's less snow. We have guest coming today with a few not coming tell tomorrow.
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thanks for the reports Cookie... stay safe.
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Well it was along 3 day weekend to say the least..
We had a few hick ups. Plus mother nature had to throw in her 2 cents.
Two of the dvd players would not work, even though they worked before the houses hit the lake.
The warm weather. 46 on Saturday made water puddles all around the houses. Then Saturday night they all turned to ice. So sunday was a no brainer, Jonny boy and I put it into high gear and moved the whole fleet . To deeper greener pastures.
North Carolina did the best catching there 8. plus eating a couple fish.
Old Minnesota had our grand daughter Asley, Devon and Our great grand son Bentley, they got 5 before we moved them deeper where they only caught a few more, Devon did get to battle a big pike for a bit. Our great grandson Bently. That's the 7th generation wetting a line. He also got to real one in.
Larry and Dan were in the new ice castle Kentucky. They managed a few fish . We also moved them yesterday.
Boar and his wife were in florida. They were out in there portable all day Saturday into the evening, They went south and caught fish all day.
California's heater would again not stay lit, even after I replaced the orifice. I have to work on that again today.
Montana got a couple fish last night so we will see how everyone did this morning when we say good bye.
Denny and his buddy checked into old Minnesota they also had a couple last night.
Pat his son and grandson got 3 in florida and went to westwind last night to have them cooked for dinner.
Craig and his dad were in north Dakota they also had a couple when I swung in last night.
The guys in the cabin. Ryan, Joe and Dan had a snowbear. They caught fish but never hit the mother load.
We will get things dialed in a s we push further out the next few days.
The warm weather played havoc on some of the pressure ridges around the lake. The one out of hillmens a mile out did not look like it has moved so that's a good thing. I drove over the bridge last nice .she seems pretty solid right now.
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nother busy day is in the books.
Got out to Kentucky fish house to say good bye to Dan and Larry, They had a grand time, on a grand lake, in a grand ice castle. Dan was so impressed he says he may bye one. There goes another customers? Darn ice castles.
They ate like kings. They had a couple ribeyes that had to be 2/1/2 inches thick.
The fishing could of been better. I still think I was to deep at 8 feet. The problem with that is when someone drives 4 hours plus, then drives out on the lake 1/4 mile and sees all the shacks out in the distance! It just does not work. Now if we drove all the way across the lake and set up 1/4 mile from the north shore in 7 feet of water it would be a whole different story.
Old Minnesota had Bill and his buddy one more night. We are going to have them fish in montana while we move there house to greener pastures. Jonny Boy did pretty good last night so that's kinda where were headed.
Will also be saying good bye to Craig and Bill. They have enjoyed there stay in north Dakota. Of course the fishing could of been better but they will be taking home 8 fish I think. We did visit last night for a bit. It was a hoot playing some texas hold um and having some chili and crackers.
Today Lyle and Greg will be arriving. We had to bump them into Kentucky as I'm still working on the heater in California.
Time to hit the lake
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Cookie, what is being let out and how much ice?
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hillmens is allowing 1/2 ton truck with tandem axle fish houses Asking to drive slow and even slower over bridge a mile out
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Lenny 1 and 2 headed home yesterday after a 3 night visit in Old Minnesota. Jonny boy and I moved them after the second day so we had them fish in montana while we moved where they picked up 2. Another great couple of guys. They ate fish, as well as took there 8 home.
I got Greg Lyle and there buddy checked into our new addition Kentucky . They were getting a few fish, Lyle got 3 mid day when the other two went to get ice. We will be saying good bye to them this morning, then its back to high gear after a good nights rest.
Lacy and Kyler had slow fishing in there wheel house and made a move. Its sounds like they may of found the mother load.
Lonnie was up for a quick trip. They had there 8 before dark. I see a pattern here Its much quieter during the mid week,with everyone spread out the fishing seems to pick up. Then by Saturday morning the bite slows as augurs are fired up ,traffic is traveling around making the ice pop and crackle.
I think I got the furnace fixed in California which is good . It kept going out, We determined it was rusty from moisture after sitting 9 months of the year.
We also had another spectacular, stellar sunset last night as I came off the lake.
Today is another moving day as we set up for the weekend. Kentucy and North Dakota are still open for the weekend. Then the day after Christmas it get crazy busy up here. I think I could of rented 30 houses between the 25th and 30th.
We still have some weekend stuff available mid jan through feb. I also offer 20 % off sundays through Wednesdays.
Yesterday I had over 50 phone calls. The best time to call me is early morning before my mind is going a mile a minute.
Hillmens road is again a highway. The speed limit is under 10 mph plus slower over the bridge. They are still only allowing 1/2 ton trucks with tandem axle fish houses as we are around 15 inches of ice give or take a inch.
I also noticed the south berm is starting to seep water, Busting through it to go north or south is always a bad idea.
Jonny boy was able to install the water pump in white lightning yesterday so I'm looking forward to driving that as my old back is taking a pounding in the plow trucks. Plus the heater works real good .
The red barons fuel pump is still not working, We need to figure if its a connection or the pump went out. Of course I had just gassed it up so the tank is full. Being a 1 ton it will be a while before she goes on the lake.
I made a bone head mistake Monday morning. I was checking the fluids in Blue thunder .The oil was a quart low so I grabbed a gallon of oil and a funnel . I stretched out to dump some oil in and gave blue thunder a good shot of antifreeze instead. I wanted to change the oil any way so we ended up changing the oil. I also noticed the batterie box had broken and the batterie was fraction away from grounding out on the fenderwell. It always pays off to pop the hood and give the trucks a once over every morning.
Looks like its time to hit the lake.
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Just like that mother nature throws a big monkey wrench it the whole operation. With a good inch of snow, throw in some wind, then another inch of snow. Plan a turns into a scramble as we say good bye to Garret and Brian today. We had them in our new ice castle Kentucy. Friday night into yesterday morning was a bust so Jonny boy and I moved them to what we expected to be better fishing. Last I had checked they had started to catch a few.
Andy and Andy were set up off in the distance all by them self's. They also brought Sam's wheel house up for Sam as he has a diesel. They always bring there own generator so they can be off by them self . They totally beleave in the further you are from any one the better the fishing. Sam and his wife set up a good 500 yards away where they been pounding the fish for two days. Andy and Andy are doing all also doing all right with a nice batch of fish.
Wayne rolled in for old Minnesota yesterday. Today we will be moving him as that spot was a big bust. Brian and Stacy arrived for Florida and proceeded to put the smack down on the fish. They had 7 when I stopped in last night. They are set up less the 2oo feet where Kentucky had horrible fishing in Kentucky.
Paul and Jason arrived for 1 night stay in north Carolina. I will find out how they did later today,
Jonny boy and I have a lot to do today . The winds have piled up the drifts around everything which throws in a whole bunch of extra work.
Rick and Gordy arrive for montana so I would like that on a new spot. North Dakota needs to be set up for Joes one night stay, Dave also will be arriving for one night in north Carolina.
Then California, Old Minnesota and North Dakota all have Shela's family arriving tomorrow.
Duke and his wife in there wheel house also landed on the honey hole. Duke figured they got over 50 fish.
Randy Rum and his dad did real well the first night but it slowed down for them yesterday.
With this 2 inches of snow and the winds blowing it around the lake has become a land mine . There are quite a few areas of broken ice fields that are now hidden under the snow. bah hah ing cross country will be much more difficult now.
Hillmens Highway has 7 miles of road to clean up today and tomorrow. Today is going to be one long day. She should be a challenge as we battle mother nature on such a grand lake that owes us nothing
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I hit the lake Saturday morning around 730 am. I called her a night about 1130pm . That was a long day. Yesterday I hit the lake before lite to top off the generators. I also had coffee with Wayne as he wanted to hit the road early. Traveling on the lake with the new edition KIa sportage. I took a few chances as I drove up to the generators with no 4 wheel drive. It was a good test but I better throw in a spade shovel and tow strap. I'm also going to get a set of chains. That should make a huge difference.
Wayne defiantly had the worst fishing?
Wayne always lets the first one go. He released a fat 16 1/2, I missed a nice fish while we were playing cards ,he caught couple little scuffits.
Mean while Stacy and Brian had pretty good fishing in Florida. They managed to eat a bunch of fish, shared some left overs with me and headed home with 8.
Joe,Sandy and Scott were here 1 night .They managed to get 8. Dave was also here 1 night .he got his 4.
Rick and Gordy were up to 5 last night. All under 17 but over 16 inches.
Shela, Richy and Family arrived Just as Jonny boy and I buttoned up moving old Minnesota, North Dakota and California. We moved them all to a new location. We set them up in a triangle with a small Christmas tree in the middle. I meet them on the lake and escort them out there. When we arrive they have a 6 foot blue spruce to set up, which makes my little tree look like a stick.
Last night making the rounds, California was the hot house. Followed by north Dakota with old Minnesota falling further behind on the fish catching.
There here one more night so will see how they did over night.
We will say good bye to Rick and Gordy. Then Montana and Florida need to be moved before Bobby Darrel and the crew arrive. With the impending snow I need to be smart about where we move the houses. I have two fishy spots in mind . I'll have to decide when I get out there this morning.
I'm also going to do a no snow snow dance. I do not expect it to work, but with mother nature and the size of red lake some times the storms split around the lake?
Looking at the calender getting out for one last deer hunt may not be in the books.
I'll share another story of one of my hunt.
For 3 years a chased a big buck in a creek bottom. Every time I would still hunt into the area he would bust me. You never new where he was bedded down. Some times he would be laying in the tall grasses next to the creek where he could lay in the sun all day long. Most of the time he would slip away from me and run across a a big opening and go into a small thicket. I had jumped him more then once. He had a beautiful rack and was all of 10 points. No matter which way I still hunted he always ran or snuck out to the north. The dairy Queen was to the south. The freeway was to the west highway 61 was to the east.
This day I was determinded. When I got a glimpse of him, he was coming out of the river bottom heading to the thicket. 1/4 mile away. I hiked over to the thicket, circled around and still hunted in. It was so thick I would never have a shot with my bow. I again pushed him out and he ran full speed back to the river bottom.
I again hiked back across. I started still hunting again. It was not very long when he jumped the creek ran east jumped the creek again and headed across the open field to the north. About half way he stopped and stood there, Majestic as a buck could be. He Stood there with his head held high, his chest puffed out, Steam coming out of his nostrils and mouth. I stood there admiring him. To far for a bow shot. He just stood there just starring at me. He then spun around, he headed east where he ran across highway 61 and left the area.
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Talk about a whirl wind. All I can say is Wow, what a week it has been.
The fishing has been all over the board. Do to the storm that was about to blow in I had decided to retreat closer to the main road. There's know ay I can even get close to figuring out who was in what house, when they were here. What we moved,
I was on the lake when the snow and wind picked up. We had Pat, Ryan, Richy and the kids in Kentucky and North Dakota. I can say they had a hoot. I never had a chance to play a game of cribbage with Pat. Hopefully next year. They did manage to get enough fish for a fish fry at westwind after the storm but it was terrible fishing.
We had the Arkansas boy in Montana and The owatana boys in florida for the storm. They were here for 4 nights. They road out the storm with wind blowing 40 miles a hour after the 10 inches of snow. The fishing probably could not of been much worse. When I placed the house there I had such high hopes as the spot looked very fishy. After we dug out. we were able to move back to the area we had much better fishing at. Jonny boy and I were humping our butts off to move the whole fleet back to better fishing. I had cut a new trail with blue thunder, with 4 foot drifts around every thing I have been basically living in the truck for 3 or 4 days. Twice I had the hammer aka the wife bring me food ,while I was plowing. I have been running on a average of 4 hours of sleep for a week. We got The Arkansas boys set up with the owatana boys right behind, then the rest of the fleet. Just as we were in the process of moving the 5 th house a caravan of wheel houses decide I had the hot spot and came in like they owned the area, @ of the 28 foot ice castles came around north Carolina as we were setting it up on the road I had plowed for the house's. They then got back on the road and proceeded to go in front of Florida and montana, with in 2 feet of the houses. If some one would of came out the door they may of gotten run over, It was that bad?
Jerry of the Arkansas group was so livid they left a day early and cost me 250 dollars. Hunter his son did get to catch a fat 18 inch walleye before the circus moved in.
One of the wheel house set up right in front of California . We could of plugged in the power off there generator with less then a 100 foot cord. Then they got there strobe lights going. So dave and his crew looked out the windows at there houses for 24 hours. They had to pull down the curtains that night as the lights were so bright flashing in the window the thought they were at a pink floyd concert with light show and all. They still had fun but the fishing was not that good. They were here for 3 nights as we had moved them down there after the first night. They did apricate the effort though, Another great group of guys that were very understanding.
The 7 wheel houses all pulled out the next day? I had to jerk 2 of the 7 out . They all managed to get 4 fish per house so they decided to go invade another area.
That night Dave and the owatana boys had much better fishing , When I stopped in they were having a hoot. They had a cooler full of fish and Dave even Managed to catch a elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie.
Now back up to the snow and wind storm. I was out there taking care of everyone when the winds got dangerous so I had to make the call and stay out there . Danny and Bradly were in California so they had a extra bed for me. Frank, Shwags and Dave were in there wheel house next to them so I was able to hang out with them. I even recouped some of my texas hold um money I have lost over the many years they have been coming up.
It was a pretty rough night sleeping in California. My boots were wet from working out side in the snow storm all day, my jeans were wet up to my knees, my socks were damp. I had 2 jackets for a pillow and blanket for my feet. To funny I just thought I should of went and got one of the comforters from florida or monatna? Hindsight oh my.
Matt and his guys rode out the storm in old Minnesota, Matt is a superintendent at whisling strights golf course. He brought me 2020 ryder cup stocking cap that I will cherish and have tell they plant me.
They only managed to catch a half dozen fish but enjoyed there adventure, Matts dad wants to come up in the summer and stay in one of our cabins. He was a very interesting gentleman. He flew choppers in Vietnam. We visited .If I remember right he was shot down 3 times. The choppers all had bullet holes. Wow.
That's it for now. I should be able to get back on track with my blogging as Jonny Boy and I enjoy working on such a grand lake that owes us nothing.
On a side note my galaxy phone crashed, You want to see some one frustrated. That would be me right now. I had to go get a new phone yesterday. I'm horrible with technology as I'm old school. All my pics, all my contacts. Then to boot I have no clue how to even operate the new phone at this time. The best way to contact me at this time is to call. Messaging on face book or any other way will be basically futile at this time un tell I learn this new phone.
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Good to hear from you, cookie. Knew we hadn't heard from you for quite a while so I looked & seen it was Christmas Day when you posted last. Kind of figured you got slammed with last weeks storm but was about to send up a flare here to see if Boar had heard from you. :scratch: A bunch of :bs: :bonk: that they crashed right in on you then you had to jerk 'em out so they could leave. :angry2: Hope this week's better.
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I sure hope cookie charged them a bunch!!!!!!!!
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Not sure I'd of even helped 'em out :tut: :mad1:, they'd at least gotten a WTF :bonk: 1st. Then it woud've hit 'em hard in the in the wallet, so they'd remember. More of the "it's all about me" crowd, lots of them these days. :sad:
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tru but cookies is in a position of high competition, better to be cordial and helpful than make enemies, specialy with today internet mouth.
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I hear ya, Boar, it usually takes quite a bit to set me off but that's the kind of :bs: that does. Guess that's why I wouldn't be good at doing what he does. :scratch:
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Happy new year,
Yesterday was another frustrating day for me, Oh well will push on. We had some heater issue/propane when it was 25 below. The owner of Kentucky said last year he put a heat magnet on the 30 pound tank. I would rather have a full 100 when the temps hit that low so going to see if we can adapt a 100 pounder.
My report yesterday upset a few people so I'm sorry about that. My phone crashed the day before and my frustration level hit the highest it could hit. After 10 days of grinding, hustling, digging out , plowing the main road,riding out a snow storm/wind storm, spending the night on the lake with damp cloth from the knees down, bad fishing, moving houses, checking customers in and out. I think Ringo stiffed me? He was in north Carolina 1 night. Having 7 wheel house go around me after I moved 1 mile from the main road, racing to Bemidji for phone on icy roads, still trying to recover pics ,contacts,learning a new phone, repairs on the red baron, fuel pump, wheel baring on the hammers vechicle etc. etc etc.
I absolutely love doing this work . Its a natural high for me. I still consider every fishermen a potential customers and not a googen cidit, sqatters or and other derogative comment. If you need a plowed spot its 50 bucks for my time, and ware and tare on truck. That's just the way it has to be, Once we become friends it could be cheaper the next time? There's plenty of spots you can back right into off of old trails if you do not need help?
Rant over. Now for the fishing report. It has gotten much better.
Tim and Amanda were in north Dakota and manage to land 21 fish, plus they fished outside where I had such terrible fishing? They got a 38 inch pike and 2 keeper walleyes during the day.
Bill and Jackie were in Old Minnesota, They caught a couple but saw fish on there camera all night long.
Jonny boy fished in montana with Roman, they managed a few .
Paula, Tom and Adam are in florida, For some reason I left it there instead of moving it. Oops now as I re read my blog I see why I did not move that house? On a good note they were up to a dozen fish caught.
Jeff and 3 of his kids showed up for 1 night in Kentucky, They only had one last night.
Well that's about it here on a grand lake that owes us nothing.
Jonny boy and I plan on moving the whole fleet before Friday morning
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good report cookie!!! we do what we have top do too!!! :happy1:
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Not your fault cookie, more mine. Everybody needs to vent, now & then. :cool: I'm sure you run into some of that more often than you let on. :rolleyes:
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Well not sure where to begin. My embellished story? About the wheel houses turned very ugly, The only time I talked to any of them was the second wheel house with Dustin? I tried to shake his hand? Any way the next day I talked to Cody as I jerked him out when I saw they were stuck. On the other hand Jonny boy did talk to them? Oh well life goes on.
My frustration level has dropped which is a good thing.. Its still best to call me as the new phone is confusing to say the least.
I'm still sticking to helping out fishermen as much as possible. If I plow any off shoot roads they are plowed to get to my rentals. I do not own these plowed roads, there plowed to get to my shacks. No one owns public waters. That's a printed law. You can not impede fishermen. Again its a statue law. If there's a rental in the road , and you have to go past a little common sense goes a long way. Most time my rentals are at the end of the road. That's seems to be the biggest problem as the fisher people always want to go to the end of the road?
Ringo called me to thank me, he did pay me. I was so busy and rattled I could not remember. He called to say they hammered them In north Carolina. It was the first rental on the road to funny. You can not make this shiiii up. I have always said everyone drives over a million fish to get to the end of the road.
Jonny boy and I have been humping away, As always plan A turns to plan B and sometime plan b turns to plan c. Then throw in murphy's law. . As My good friend Wayne says. I say its not my first rodeo? He says. What's it like in the clown barrel. You can not beat the laughs and comradery .
Tom From Duluth rented North Dakota as a day house for his crew, They fished in north Dakota, The fishing could of been better but they sure enjoyed the house . They even spent a night out there. They also rented 2 day houses and a cabin from westwind, Where John got his first elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie yesterday. I still have not seem Tom to settle up. I expect he will call me when I 'm out there moving Kentucky this morning.
Duwaye and Dave spent the night in florida. They only got a couple but Dave liked the house and said he would come again.
The hammer, I and Jonny boy had dinner and a movie in old Minnesota. I cooked up the steaks we had planned on eating new years eve. I out fished the hammer again. I got 1 walleye she got a perch. We spent the night where I enjoyed a evening off. I even watched a movie Thursday morning. She did tie it up Thursday when she got a nice keeper at 10 am.
We have a busy morning today as we have to get Kentucky and California moved asap.
We have a full house starting today with something rented every day tell next weekend.
Looking at the books all our 5 deluxe houses are booked every weekend the rest of the season. I do have California our 3 man and north Carolina our 2 man open a few weekends at this time.
On a side note I have to take a peek at blue thunder as yesterday I hit a hunk of rough ice that pretty much stopped me in my tracks. The hammers trail blazers belt tensioner went out also. I opened the hood and the sparks were flying. After we get everyone checked in today we have a wheel baron to do, a belt tensioner, and a fuel pump on the red baron. I guess you could say busy busy busy on a" Grand lake that owes us nothing".
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Well its pretty much been non stop . Just when I thought I could never get frustrated like I did when my phone crashed.
Friday morning I meet Rick ,Matt and Mike at 7 am and my new phone decides it only want to ring when it wants to ring. I have Larry calling in around 10 to check in. Elvis rolling in with his wheel house around noon, Larry's crew rolling in around noon for montana and florida,. Matt rolling in some time for California with his 4 kids, Justin call ing with his wheel house for a plowed spot. Dan checking into the cabin, Another Dan checking into Kentucky for the day. followed by Dave and his crew spending the night in Kentucky. Then throw in 2 more wheel houses with 2 different lee's.
Jonny boy and I are again moving houses, getting ready for the weekend where I expect I may get a little rest.. Every time I look at the phone I have missed calls. Now I'm getting voice mails, trying to figure out who's who by calling the missed calls checking the voice mails.
Some how I was able to get every one checked in through out the day but again it was not a smooth easy day as expected.
Matt and his kids did not roll in tell around 10:30pm that night so I had another 16+ hour day. Jonny boy was frustrated because every time he looked up I'm on the phone. I did finally get home around 6:30 where the hammer spent a few minutes and fixed the problem .
With all the houses scattered about I expected much better fishing when I was making the rounds. All the house's had a little action but all in all very slow with many lookers that refused to bite.
Rick, Mike and Matt were in north Dakota where they took home 7,3 over 4 under,they also ate a couple fish. Rick got a elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie a 14 1/2 incher that he let go for good karma. He also brought the hammer and I 4 lobster tails plus a couple steaks which I cooked last night for our 41rst wedding anniversary. Thanks so much Rick,Mike and matt.
Larry was hosting some client's to a fishing trip ,we had old Minnesota, montana and florida set up in a triangle. He would be making them dinner Friday night. I stop in making the rounds , he had a buffet set up in old Minnesota where he had cooked a 7 pound tenderloin with baked potato ,chive, cheese, bacon bits ,corn oriental salad, bread, mushrooms@ onions. Talk about impressive. I did have a piece of the tenderloin. It was the best piece of meat I have ever had in a fish house. With the 3 house I think florida with Brian and Nick did the best with 12 walleye landed. Larry missed quite a few fish when he was cooking and cleaning. The guys in monatana Brian and Collin? also got a few. Our night bite has been pretty quite with 1 or 2 rattle per night around 3 or 4 am.
The guys in Kentucky only got a couple, when they left Dave and his 2 boys checked in for the night. They were fishing from sleds all day . They fished 5 spots, they landed 21 fish for the day keeping 11. I think they caught a couple in Kentucky.
Matt with his kids did not do so well ,only landing 4 fish. It just kills me when we do not get fish, He left us some pots, pans, etc for California which was nice. I did get to show the kids the 4 j"s Jamison, Josiah, Jasmyn, Josilyn my disappearing minnow trick when they were all loaded up to leave so that may of been a interesting ride home for Matt.
We moved Kentucky Saturday morning to the end of the road where it was a bust sunday we moved arron and his crew back by the fleet where we knew there were a few fish swimming around.
Jonny boy got the new fuel pump in the red baron I came off the lake Saturday around noon to rest and decide I should warm her up and go to the gas station. I made it a bout a mile onto the lake where she died. Jonny boy came and towed me home where we now have to figure out why the new pump in the tank is not working. With the little snow last night and high winds out of the south east it sure would of been nice to bring her onto the lake today. Oh well I would guess its gods intervention to not have her out there yet .
Yesterday there was no time to work on her as we moved Kentucky, Montana, and north Dakota before all the new guest arrived. I'll see how they did this morning as I clean up the mess from the high winds and snow last night. We have to get old Minnesota dug out as well as florida, califrnia and north Carolina. All 3 need new fishing spots prepped before I dig them out, Very, very busy here on the shore of upper red lake where she's a grand lake and owes us nothing.
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wow.hang in ther buddy. its glenns fault!!!
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wow.hang in ther buddy. its glenns fault!!!
:happy1: ;) Usually is. :rolleyes: :smiley:
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wow.hang in ther buddy. its glenns fault!!!
:taz: :taz: :taz: no its not!!!!!!!!!!! :taz: :taz: :banghead: training-087 :rotflmao: :rotflmao:
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You probably knocked his phone out when you wiped out the other night. ;) :laugh:
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You probably knocked his phone out when you wiped out the other night. ;) :laugh:
:doofus: :pouty: :tut: :tut: :tut: :tut: :tut: i still hurt!!!!!!!!! :bonk: :bonk:
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I slipped on the ice last Saturday and my hip is still hurting... bad stuff...
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To my surprise the winds howled all night sunday but the drifting around the houses were next to nothing.
The fishing was not to good. Larry staying in old Minnesota one last night caught 5 fish all over 18.
Banjo Mike and his wife did horrible? I offered to move them yesterday after we got all our other houses moved and customers checked in , they decided it was to much work.
I sure do understand why the fishing was so bad in that spot. The whole area had been fishy in the past. I guess they swam away. My other theory is they are so plump and healthy they really do not need to eat unless its a treat. I'm thinking some one should try a strip of bacon?
The new spot we picked for Aaron and his crew only got a couple,, Jerry and his crew were in there last night and did get a couple so far. The plan will be to move them for there third night at this time.
Keith and his wife got 3 but did not have any rattle wheels down.
We did move caliofrnia, florida, north Carolina, and old Minnesota yesterday. I would like to get it dialed in where we could move all 7 in one day? Prepping spots takes so much time not sure if its possible.. We had guest in 4 house last night so will see how they did today, I'm done expecting good fishing as there just not biting that good?
We did have a cancelation for the weekend so old Minnesota has opened up.
1 fish ,2 fish ,no fish 3 fish is my new saying.
Its so frustrating to not see the guest not catching fish. None of my tricks of 17 years is working.
Last week Justin did try fishing outside away from the house and picked up 2.
Fishermen/ guest will some times blame the weather? The only problem I have with that is you always here a report some where on the lake we hammered them?
Tim and amande that were here a week or 2 ago caught 21 fish, the year before they did well. They went and fished where my guys from Arkansas got next to nothing during the blizzard and picked up 3 nice fish, I'm guessing they are pretty good fisher people. She did say they are tight to the bottom and were biting super lite.
So earlier this year the snow was like sugar sand and was the easist, best snow I have ever banked houses with, Yrsterday the snow had turned to the worst, wet, heavest snow I have ever banked houses with, I knew I was go to pay for that beatiful banking snow. The last house we banked I had Jonny boy do it my back was shot.
Today the winds are howling out of the nw. Working out there today could really be a chore to say the least. The snow had turned real wet now with the temps dropping and the wind howling off road travel make get a little tougher.
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Batten down the hatche's ! Oh My, Seeing we had a big wind storm coming Jonny boy and I worked tell dark prepping. . With the warm day the snow became very wet and heavy. As I drove off the lake that night I felt comfortable that we were in good shape.
Waking up yesterday morning to a dusting of snow , winds howling at 30 plus miles and hour, it was pretty much white out conditions all day. Once I reached the houses the drifting was amazing.
I spent all day in blue thunder checking on our customers, moving some snow away from the houses and marking the road. Coming off the lake I had stop too make sure every one was hunkered down as the side roads are pretty much gone.
I'm home less then a hour when I get a call . Dominiks dad is stuck? Making the trip back out after dark time was spent tugging there truck out of the snow bank.
The good news is a couple fish were being caught. At least no one was getting skunked.
Jonny boy stayed out there last night in north Dakota where he got 4 after Mike and his crew caught 1 in two days?
Jonny boy will be in in a bit as were still trying to track down the fuel pump problem on the red baron, It seems like it may be a ground issue so time will tell. Today and tomorrow will be spent digging out and moving the whole fleet before Friday morning, Plus we have hillmens road to work on, Never a dull moment on such a grand lake that owes us nothing
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So a little venting is in order.
Yesterday I'm coming back from the gas station , there's a truck and wheel house behind me, there's a car behind him. There's a double yellow line all the way through waskish, yet people think they can pass? Its a double line for a reason .There are drive ways all the way through waskish. What is the big hurry. If your pulling out of a driveway look left, right, left and right again.
The whole fleet is going on the move again today, Our good friend Lee was here with his gal Bonnie staying in old Minnesota. They had a grand time on a grand lake. A few fish were caught and eaten.
Jerry and his crew got to experience a move yesterday as we pushed out further, looking for better fishing.
Steve has caught a couple in California and was commenting how peaceful it is out there.
Mitch is fishing in florida with about the same results.
Jack and Al are in north Dakota. We plan on moving them this morning. They did have a 16 and 19 last night but very slow.
Jonny boy was staying in montana last night. With all the plowing I never got it moved. Once there on new spots I have a pet peeve about being fished .Fishing in the house on the same spot after the guest leaves is nice to see if the good bite continues on that spot.
Now for the red baron. We have a fuel pump problem and could use a good electrical guy. Its got to be a ground. It seems once the gas tank is bolted back up the pump stops working. I'm willing to barter or pay for someone that could fix the problem as the red baron is a very important piece of equipment. Once the snow drifts get hard the red baron becomes the work horse of the fleet. Plus the next snowfall with over 7 miles of main road to help on she needs to be ready to go.
Blue thunder has gotten a work out so far this season. The hammer picked up a new battery. She has 2 and one broke loose and cracked, finding a little time to replace it will have to wait for now as working on it outside can be a bear .
With such a busy week all the house's need to be moved toady as mother nature threw a wrench in things when that dusting of snow came. Followed by the high winds. I basically lost a whole day. Its nothing new here. I sure do not understand where all the snow comes from, you would think after a hour or two it would all be on the shore line. The only thing I can figure as there must of been snow squalls that day. Or it was so windy the snow was coming from Canada. I have a new dance its the fish dance so were going to give that a shot today.
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hey cookie..............are these no snow and fish dances on Utube??????????? :happy1: :rotflmao: :rotflmao:
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Maybe it is something in the wire harness and when you put the tank back up it moves the wire enough to lose connection or ground out.
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Its been so crazy busy here for Jonny boy and I.
We had guest all of last week right into Friday,. Its been non stop go go go.. Trying to remember events and names after a 5 day run can be tough to say the least.
First things first a couple in fishing can be any where from 2 to 12, a few can be any where from 3 to 19. One is one I think?
We had Jack and his buddy in north Dakota for 2 nights midweek , we did move them the second day. They caught a few.
we had Mitch in montana where I never even got to visit much .I think he got a couple.
Steave was in California mid week he also got a couple?
We had jerry and his sons in Kentucky mid week, we moved them the third day. They never did that well but enjoyed there stay and all ready said they plan on doing it again.
Thursday and friday we busted butt getting ready for the weekend, All the houses were put on fresh spots, My good friend says I'm the master of confusion when it comes to plowing trails to the houses. I ruin areas as I go one way or the other. Up,down . This way, that way. Its all in the grand plan on a grand lake.
Our good customers Andy and Andy made there second trip of the year. Andy inspired me with some constructive criticism years ago about gassing the generators. We now fill the generators instead of putting some one in charge. If we have bad weather they may have to get a lesson in filling them but by the most part we take care of them with our system.
They were in Kentucky and montana the other Andy's favorite house. They caught some fish in the new location we moved to, but quite a few smaller fish, which is good to see. I think Andy his dad Brad and brother Alex may of went home with 6? They caught more then a few though.
Sam there friend came up with his wheel house They only got a couple.
We had Jim's friends in old Minnesota Dan and Stacy. I plowed a spot for his wheel house. They ended up with a few between old Minnesota and Jim's.
Leroy his grandson Quinten and Christen made there annual trip again. It sure would be nice if we landed on the mother load on one of there trips. They did get a couple over a fat 21 and a fat 20 plus a couple more. We did move them Saturday as the house had been fished 2 days in a row with so so fishing.
Ringo rolled in Saturday morning for 1 night in north Carolina. They went home happy with there catch. I also had to plow 2 spots for there friends wheel house's. I came off the lake Friday night at 6 only to turn around and escort a uncle out and plow him a spot where he gave me 10 dollars? Wow, I just told him my time was worth more and drove off. I got home at 7 where I rested and ate before heading back out with the other wheel house around 9:30. Talk about a long day.
We also had Dale fish in California as a day house with his buddy Wally and there wife's. They fished tell dark and I know they got a few.
Jonny boy and I worked on all three vehicles Saturday into yesterday. The hammer got her new wheel bearing thanks to Jonny boy. We also trouble shot the red baron where we found a bad ground and 2 fuse's for the ecm module? What ever that is. We also added a new ground. I did warm it up last night a filled her up. I 'm going out on the lake today to test her. What a relief getting her going. It has a terrible wobble we need to figure out. If you look it up its common and is called the death wobble "ZOIKS"
There's more matianace on the fleet. We do get a bit of a break after our guest we have now leave on Tuesday.
Of course mother nature plans on stepping in mid week with temps closing in on -20.
Even though I baby my trucks they still take a beating, 3 or 4 tranny's in the red baron, drive shafts, belts, batteries. wheel bearings. u joints, radiators. Both plows have been completely rebuilt.
I litterly ran blue thunder 1 into the ground over the years. When we retired her she was worn out. Over the last 4 years we have robbed many parts off that truck, including the whole front differential last year.
Sometimes the frustration level hits the roof, its all worth it when you enjoy your work on a grand lake that owes us nothing
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Well here we go again, Its been addressed I need to state our prices for plowing. We would like to get 50.00 for a spot plowed. 100 if we have to rescue a house that has been drifted in.
My intension while writing in the morning is not to offend anyone ,Its just a way of letting fisher people know some of the ins and outs of being out there every day. Yes I have grand days and bad days as I take on more then I can chew some times. I try to help when ever possible. Yes I do expect tips as I'm trying to scratch out a living.
I truly love being out there watching the spectacular sunsets that mother nature provides. Having fun with customers, getting to know them, where they live, what they do for a living. The great thing is you have something in common as soon as you meet. Fishing? Do I have a passion for fishing ,maybe not, but I enjoy the comradery of fishing, seeing fellow fishermen catch fish. Hanging out with customers/ fishermen. Maybe playing some cards,some cribbage, yesterday even some dice games. Laughing yuking it up, how can you not enjoy that. Laughter make's you younger.
We got the red baron going with a little help from our friend / mechanic Tom. Jonny boy got frustrated as would be expected when your laying on the ground in the cold,snow dropping a gas tank more then a couple times.
I had her on the lake yesterday feeling her out, its such a sweet truck as it pretty much idles through the snow. I did get hung up yesterday but that was my own fault. Its not the first time I've gotten stuck and I expect not the last. I did forget to put the number 2 spade shovel in the truck. If you own a wheel house ,purchase a number 2 steal spade shovel. They work a lot better then a plastic snow shovel or aluminum snow shovel. It seems every year I pick up parts of broken plastic snow shovels.
We will be saying good by to the guest this morning then its time to decide what area we want to fish. I have a good feeling the area I'm at is getting fished out and do not want to gamble with bad fishing this coming weekend.
There's some areas of broken ice that are now hidden so I have to be carful when we cut any new trails.
Old Minnesota had Jon and Mike, the house had not been fished very hard so I took a shot and left it there. The guys got 4 nice fish ,They also lost a big one at 3am. Will see how they did last night later.
California had Rick and Al. They were up to 6 and rick also lost a big fish.
Tanner is here with a big group of guys and his dad, Tanners Dad brought our truck white lightning here from Denver we had bartered for a couple nights fishing. They have north Dakota and montana, a few fish of been caught but they were having a hoot playing dice games yesterday.
I never made it out there last night as fog had moved in .My plan A turned into Plan B as it was as they say thick is pea soup.
Today we plan on getting as many house's moved as possible as the colder weather is about to come down upon us,
We have Jon v coming today with the rest of the guests rolling in Friday. It was good timing as I hate to say I was getting a little worn out going 16 hours a day.
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I have heard so many people say "well the road is already plowed so what does it hurt if I just drive on it?" Or "the rental houses were just sitting not getting used so why can't I just go sit in it and fish for awhile?" :crazy:
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Another interesting week is also most gone by. After I wrote my last blog. Tuesday. I headed out on the lake to be welcomed by white out conditions. With just a trace of snow. I'm talking 1/16th of a inch. The wimd's were howling out of the south west. Plan A turned to plan B that quick. Hillmen"s road was taking it well but the trail going north were a completely different deal. We could of moved houses but the more tracks you make in the drifts the more snow you collect. Its a nightmare. Your way better off riding it out then traveling as all it does is collect more snow.
Tanners crew staying in north Dakota and montana pulled out. They were able to go through the drifts all the way too the main road. I get out to our north road and its pretty much gone. With no other trails to catch snow I think it all blew in our road. The nature of the beast. With John and his crew arriving for north Dakota. I spent the next couple hours making it passable. Jonny boy stayed where he was and cleaned houses.
When John arrived I explained that we would move the house the next day.
About noon the winds calmed down and you could see. That lasted about a hour when the winds came back even stronger. Only this time out of the north west. Wow another white out was with us just like that. My as well have drifts going two different directions? Blue thunder went through another workout. once the winds died down that night.
Jonny boy has named the areas I ruin ant farms. Wayne says I'm the master of confusion. I like both those saying. As Wayne says. What's it like looking out that clowns barrel, when I say Its not my first Rodeo. That's the comradery I enjoy.
Tanner and the crew did go home with some fish how many not sure.
Yesterday we hit her hard. North Dakota was moved, then reset. Montana was dug out and moved. notrth caroliana was dug out and moved, banked. Florida was moved set up and banked California was moved banked and set up.
John and his crew had some more fish last night in the new spot. Today we plan on setting up Montana. Then moving old Minnesota as I vacate the area I ruined.
I also picked up a few things for the fleet as we prepare for fridged temps this weekend. -30 two nights in a row.
After this next cold blasy maybe the houses will stop flooding?
Our new hoodies should be here today or tomorrow.
Well as the saying goes its time to hit the ice On this grand lake that owes us nothing. Who knows maybe this weekend some one will catch a elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie?
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We survived the first real cold snap? The fishing could of been better but that seems to be the case this year. I'm not sure why its slower then usual. I'm still sticking to my theory the fish are fat, healthy and really do not need to eat to survive?
Our plans are still going to be what we have always done. Try and put the house's on fresh spots after every group. weather permitting, and our equipment working. Try to leave areas before there burned out. Do the cookie shuffle, when were getting a few. With 4 generators we have been able to spread out more then the past?
Even the wheel house's we plowed and picked spots for last weekend struggled.
I had to leave early sunday morning to go see my mom in Iowa. Were back home today, ready to re shuffle for the weekend.
It was nice to see Ken, Carl, Terri and Sarah last weekend. There from Iowa. We did move them after there first night as I wanted to get out of that area before this snow hit us . 4 inches of powder kept Jonny boy busy yesterday helping Buddy hillmen clean up the super highway. They stayed in florida for there 3rd or 4rth year. Such nice people , we traded some blueberry's for some homemade jam that I will be sampling tomorrow. They got there cookie's hoodies a year late but they did get them. They only got a few fish even after getting to fish 2 completely different areas.
Jon v and his crew left after 4 nights,if I remember right they also got to move once. They did go home with 16 fish plus had 2 fish frys. Last year Bernie figured they caught 25or more a day so not so good this year.
We had new customers in Kentucky. A very nice family Adam, Christeen? 2 kids Cooper and Conner. They did have some action, with quite a few keeper perch and only a couple walleyes. It did sound like they would come again, That's always been my goal to have repeat customers.
Montana had Kevin, Darla, Scotty and forgot the other girls name. I know they got at least 8. I did not get to say good bye to them.
Wayne was in old Minnesota and also got to fish 2 spots. Not sure what's going on with him. When he comes up I spend quite a bit of time hanging out as he owns old Minnesota and one of our best friends. The hammer and I always fish with him when he is here. We moved old Minnesota Saturday. The hammer and I showed up after dark , he had not landed fish. The hammer drops her line down and had a fish with in 30 seconds? As the saying says you can not make that sh up.
Jonny boy fished it last night in the same spot and landed 3 keepers with 1 over 21?
We had another two couples check into North Dakota Saturday, Lacy, Kevin, Fred and Maria again on a new spot. I think they went home with 8.
Mike checked in sunday for 2 nights. they have caught a few but nothing to brag about.
Today its back to grinding as we have Trevor coming for 3 houses tomorrow and Darrel rolling in tonight. Rick will roll in Friday morning. I sure hope we can have better fishing for all. I think 3 resorts have something going on this weekend I cog at Rodgers, Red lake adventure biggest walleye contest and jrs indoor fishing contest. I'm not sure if Hillmens has the crappie floppers coming to play music this year but I assume they will.
Well its that time to fire up the fleet ,check the fluids and get to work on such a grand lake
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Yesterday was again a busy day here 5 miles out on such a grand lake.
Jonny boy, Jessi and I were able to get er done as we finally moved the whole fleet in one day. 6 were dug out , north Carolina was all ready to go sitting on the side road.
It was fun working like a well oiled machine with every one knowing there job.
Today we will be battling mother nature as a dusting of snow last night with 4 inches of powder from Monday should create white out conditions most of the day.
4 of the sleepers need to be augured out, all powered up ready to go by this afternoon. I have more matianace to do on the fleet so the torpedo heater and tarp will be drug out of storage again.
Jonny boy and Jess were out fishing last night on a new spot. Jonny boy is still hooked on the elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. The fish sure are finicky this year, There are so many reports of fish that will not bite. I expect they are walleye as Billy and Jacky saw at least 10 on there camera one night a few weeks ago. They got 3. Less ten 200 feet away Tim and Amanda landed 21 in two days. Amanda said they were tight to the bottom with a very lite bite. I think next time they come up I'm going to wet a line with those two. Your never to old to learn a trick or two. Mark also said a week ago they watch fish after fish suck in there minnow and spit it out with out there bobbers every moving?
Rick will be rolling in tomorrow morning for there second trip of the season. Trevor and his large crew roll in later today for 3 of the houses. Trevor was here quite a few years ago. I talked to him yesterday and they were pretty excited to be coming up again.
Darrel arrived yesterday with his dad so will see how they did on that new spot. There here for 4 nights.
Tomorrow Kentucky will be moved for Larry and his crews arrival on Saturday.
Mother nature had decided to throw in some wicked cold weather. I have a feeling blue thunder and the red baron may idle all night a couple times through out the next week.
The winds picked up last night so I expect some drifting out there this morning.
If anyone would like a hoodie we have about 50 new ones .
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how.much cookie
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45.00 55.00 for 2x and 3 x
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Can you post a pic of one Cookie?
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I knew the winds blew pretty good Wednesday night as our friend Lonnie got off low Wednesday night rather then ride it out and struggle to get off thursday morning.
After getting blue thunder warmed, gassed and ready to go. I hit the lake and the ice road was at least half way gone. Errr. Again plan A goes to plan B. With Jonny boy prepping 4 of the houses I started plowing the south edge all the way to the end of the road. Then it was back to the east. Trying to get some of the snow in the air as the winds were still pretty strong. Buddy Hillmens was dragging the first mile as I went back and forth. Hindsite is a funny thing. Looking back I should of went and got the red Baron.
We got Trevor checked in some time in the afternoon as by then I had Jonny boy running the red baron as we cleared the road, The last 1/4 mile I heard a clunk. .I had broken a u joint on the front driveshaft. We took her out of 4 wheel drive and I limped her home.
Friday morning I would be checking in Rick. After going to a neighbors and plowing out there drive way I notice the red baron blower motor is not working. Talk about a cold ride out to the houses.
I got her back home asap and under the tarp. I replaced the blower with a used one I had on the shelf. That one got me through the day un tell last night 6 miles out and that one took a shh.
The hammer will have to go track me one down this morning.
Mean while Jonny boy was pulling out the drive shaft on Blue thunder. One of the 4 bolts had broken off in the yoke so plan A turned to plan B as he had to drill the bolt out. Trying to do that laying under the truck when it was over 20 below was not a great plan. I gave Buddy Hillmen a call where he let us bring it over and put it up on his lift which made the job 10 times easier Thanks Buddy.
Again a big disappointment in the fishing .
With all the houses on fresh spots a few fish ware being caught. Were not seeing many of the over 17 we were seeing a month ago. We are getting quite a few nice perch though. Very strange year. Many bigger perch this year..
I'll break down the numbers of fish caught tomorrow after we say good bye to all our guest.
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UGGGGG! Just came in from plowing the gas station and store. We got dumped on with some more snow.
Oh well mother nature always seems to step in and throw a wrench in the operation.
Have you ever tried to plow a parking lot ,drive way when your a perfectionist? It futile. Lucky I learned you can not clean it all up.
Now a little good news as the fishing finally picked up a bit for some. With all the houses on fresh ice ,new locations I expected a couple fish to be caught.
Bob and Mary had me plow them a spot for 40.00 they ended up catching a dozen I be leave. So My new saying is I plow you a spot for 50 but I'll take 40.
Some other guys wanted me to plow them to a spot on there narvonics for 40 . Nope wasn't happing as I had no idea how far they wanted to go.
I expect were going to start seeing some slush pockets out there after this dumping. I did notice a spot yesterday.
North Dakota was set up with Dave and his 3 boys Al, Hunter, and Jake. They were less then 200 yards where Bob and Mary were fishing. They landed 1 fish. Ish
Florida which was 150 feet away from north Dakota with Rollie and Kevin got there 8. Plus a couple bonus pike and a nice perch. Plus they had a little rattle wheel action. crazy
I plowed another spot for LouAnn and we set her wheel house up for her. They did not do that well 2.
Kentucky had Ashly,Colton and Jackson. They had a lot of bite and landed a couple plus lost a bigger one in the middle of the night.
Old Minnesota was a bust with Jim a last minute deal. He had his son Austin 3 year old.
Montana was near Minnesota and also had hardly any action? Craig and Spenser came last year and did real well so they were a little disappointed to say the least. I sure expected better fishing in that area as The hammer and I fished a couple nites last week, We lost a few fish, missed a few and landed a couple.
Jonny boy and Jess had some action in California also? Plus last nite they caught 4 or 5 before dark.
We also plowed a spot for our friend Lonnie and he had a few last night during the snowfall.
Steve use north Carolina as a day house and only landed one. 100 feet from California. Stupid fish.
Yesterday we were able to move 4 house s and check in Arnett and mike in north Dakota.
Jeff also showed up with his parents for florida so I'm hoping they had action last night as we stayed on shore with all the snow coming down.
Looks like we will be plowing, plowing ,plowing all week. In between we will again have to get the whole fleet moved and set up for the coming weekend.
I'm thinking it could be a grand week on a grand lake that owes us nothing
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Talk about getting some snow. Yesterday we spent most of the day prepping the red barom amd Blue thunder for another bout of cleaning Hillmens road.. From the looks of it yesterday getting off road would all most be impossible..
We have our work cut out for us today as we alos have to get all the houses set up. Montana and floriida are ready to auguar, north Dakota is ready to move ,block bank auguar, Minnesota needs to be dug out as well as California and north caroliana.
If your coming today take your time as I have a feeling we will be running behind.
I'm nursing blue thunder as she's struggling to get good heat in the cab. Seems the new radiator a year ago has a couple pin holes in the plastic seems. Why in the world would they ever make radiators out of plastic is beyond me. We have a new one on order.
Jeff was here the beginning of the week . They got 5.
The hammer and I fished just a little and have managed a few in between the snow storms.
Cutting trails with the red baron is getting tougher as there s just so mush snow. Will have to see how she goes today.
I do have Chandler and dustin out there fishing in old Minnesota a so will get to see if that spot had any activity at night as the rattle wheels have been pretty quiet at night tell 4 am. Time to hit the lake
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I would have to say last week was one of those weeks you do not want a repeat of. Back to Back snow storms put the hurt on the fleet. Blue thunder has a new radiator coming, it may need a new starter when I get tired of crawling under it and tapping it with a hammer.
Friday was a brutal day for me as we prepped and checked in customers . I was in blue thunder all day with just enough heat to keep the windshield clear. Friday evening waiting for our last check in I was shivering at home. Luckly it was our good friend Wayne so he understood I did not feel that well.
The red baron also had some issues as we saw a small radiator leak. We had only made 1 pass down buddy hillmens road which was completely snowed in. I had Jonny boy head home. We got home and found the leak. It just so happens when I junked out the grey goose I had the common sense to take out the radiator. I left Jonny boy to the task of replacing her while I headed back out to cut the north edge of the road. When the crew arrive for montana and florida they were a few guys Zack that jonny boy use to work with and have had a tradition going on 3 years. One of the guys jumped in to help jonny boy button her up and the red baron was back on the ice in less then 3 hours. Installing a used radiator, out side, under a tarp in -10 degrees. If I remember right I gave Jonny boy a slap on the back with a job well done.
Right now both trucks need to be monitered well as we try a thaw them out.
Now for the fishing re[port. it has gotten better in spots with Sean is wife and daughter and good friend joeff landing over 30 fish . Purple was the hot color.
Mean while Wayne was in old Minnesota with not a nibble. The house had not been moved all week as it was never fished more then 24 straight hours. being it was wayne he was nice enogh to fish it there the first night,
We did move it Saturday doing the cookie shuffle. It paid off as the hammer and I joined wayne Saturday eve. We landed 8 fish in a 2 hours flurry with wayne landing his biggest red lake walleye a fat chunky 24 incher. We also lost a couple fish.
Mean while the crew out in montana were having a grand time on a grand lake. Jonny has been hanging with them as they all head home today.
Dustin and Chandler fished 3 different spots in 4 nights. They did not do that well but did get a couple fish. They also improvised a tool for retrieving a wallet on the bottom of the lake.
Kentucky only had customers 1 night. Joanie and her crew. They were just north of north Dakota and had the super slow fishing. Stupid fish.
Today were back to regrouping as we have Paul and his crew in north Dakota and Tom coming for California. Plus sounds like
there may be another band of snow coming our way. I'm defiantly trying the no snow snow dance today.
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Yesterday I got a early start as I headed out to top off the generators, then back to shore to plow out a couple driveways for some locals. Once that was done it was right back out on the lake to check on the guys. Since the fishing had picked up I was looking forward to some better reports .
First stop was California with Tom and his crew, they had 7 when I had last seen them . They did manage to get a couple more .
Paul his brother and 2 buddies had a couple more when I arrived around 10 am. As I was visiting they had a nice little run or school of fish come through and managed to land a couple more while I rooted them on.
Then it was over to check on Jeff and his family that had arrived Monday evening around 8pm.
They had only managed one little one in Kentucky and a 17 out of old Minnesota.
Jonny boy was out further fishing florida which had been fish fri Saturday sunday. With pretty decent fishing over the weekend it was more of a scouting and matianace evening for him and jess. They landed 3 quality fish while spending the night out there. Jess also landed a fat 18 around noon yesterday.
So all in all the fishing has gotten much better.
After checking in on everyone I headed out to grab montana and move her back towards the fleet. With warmer temps, a lite snow coming down, a wisp of wind. I soaked up the tranquility of working on such a grand lake. My thoughts were. This makes up for the struggles and brutal conditions we have endured the past few weeks.
With all the snow out on the lake most of the houses are closer to the main road. Every year is different and this is no exception. Once I got montana in her spot I headed home to grab blue thunder and head back out to block and bank her for Glens arrival today.
Just like that I jump in blue thunder and hit the key. Nothing. Back to the grind as I crawl under the truck to lightly tap the starter. After attempting that 3 or 4 times it was time to lug the torpedo out and warm her up.
Of course we lost a extension coed over the weekend so I did not have a long enough cord, so back out on the lake to retrieve a cord, I did get her running , but a new starter will be arriving today, along with a radiator that's in route and a 100 foot extension cord.
Heading back out I got montana prepped for today, Then headed over to check on everyone, gas up the generators and get blue thunder back home. There's just enough heat to keep the window clear.
After some rest and dinner I again headed out to check on everyone, visit a bit.
My last stop was Kentucky where they were all playing a dice game with the kids, I hung with them tell a little after 10 where I did the generators and headed home, another 16 hour day in the books.
Today we will be saying good bye to a few and checking in glen, plus Gary and kay.
The snow on the lake has made any off road travel not advised, I saw where some guys with a truck and chains made it about 20 feet off the main road where Wayne said they spent over 2 hours trying to un bury it..
As I was coming out that evening I saw the two guys were heading off the lake never wetting a line.
Well its time to hit the lake, As that old timer Dave told me. ITS A GRAND LAKE AND OWES US NOTHING NOTHING
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Then there were 10? Yes only ten days left of walleye,pike fishing here on such a grand lake.
Of course its been another busy 2 days for me as I grind and battle mother nature. I'm not complaining as its such a challenging job. Planning days in advance, mother nature always throwing curve balls. left, right, up, down. We start the season wanting a bit of snow , We end up towards the end of the season with well over 2 feet.
With the weight of the snow our houses have pretty much flooded every spot.
The silly fish start to bite all of a sudden? Now that its such a chore to get around. It will be interesting to see how it goes the next 10 days.
Paul,Dennis,Brad, and Josh arrived sunday for north Dakota for 4 nights. With the great fishing Sean had with his family we decided we would start the first night on the same spot. They did get a couple fish but we would be doing the cookie shuffle the next day. It was not a big move as some times that's all it takes.
The guys caught a few fish right away. The third morning they had a nice run, Paul tangled with the legendary pike nick named jingle bells for all the lures its taken. They had it half way up the hole after a epic battle only to have it slip away.
The last night they were treated to a nice run on the rattle wheels at 4 am .
Tom,Darrin and Mike were in California. They were here 2 night,The first night they got 7 followed by 2 more for a total of 9.
Glen was here one night and landed on the mother load, A school of fish must of decide to rest under that house as he actually got tired of catching fish. Well just like that my plans changed as Rodger needs a place to rest as they drove up to get there broken car so I gotta go.
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I guess another rough Friday is in the books. Getting everything ready for our guest Friday morning was a challenge to say the least. While I was prepping ,Jonny boy had to put the new starter in blue thunder as she decided 20 below was time to give up. Plan A had again changed just like that as I banked north Dakota with a shovel after moving snow around with the red baron. I was then off to bank California, as I was again trying to maneuver the red baron around I noticed we had a radiator leak so I shut her down.
Jonny boy rolled up and we finished banking California. He was auguring the holes. I jump into blue thunder to move some more snow around. All of sudden we had a plow line deciding to leak. Back to hand banking Kentucky as I also shut her down. Just like that both plow truck would need to be limped home.
We checked in the customer through out the day.
Bard and his daughter Ryley arrived for California for a quick 1 night stay. They got there 8 before 8pm and decided to head home.
Ben, Shawna and the kids were in montana the house that Glen put the hurt on the fish Tuesday. They leave today after spending 3 nights . With a new 6 week old baby Sully they had there hands full. They managed to catch a couple fish before I got a phone call around 11 pm. Shawna had got a nice 18 with the rattle wheel. In the excitement the lure popped out and buried itself in her arm. I headed out to see if I could get it out with the string trick. With two barbs in her arm it was a little tricky. With the two little ones sleeping ,the baby crying a bit we got her out. No sooner then we were done and The rattle wheel by the door goes off. We encourage her too land the fish as she was a little gun shy. being such a trooper she set the line and they had another 18 in the bucket, My work was done so I headed back home.
Neal was with Tracy in north Dakota with there friends Bob and Lori in florida. Florida caught more fish then north Dakota but they all had a grand time on a grand lake. Tracy and I came up with a new facebook page we may launch soon.
Morgan her dad Tom, and her two boys Griffin and Arron were in Kentucky. They had some bites but had trouble hooking them as it was a lite bite for them. They did manage to get 4 nice one before they left yesterday.
Jason and his brother Troy checked into Minnesota, they kinda drew the short straw because of my break downs. The house was not moved like, I like. It would be interesting to see how they would do as Minnesota had been sitting there for a week. Jason managed to get his first red lake walleye and did miss a few fish. They were here one more night so will see how they finished out later on.
Kirk and his son Arron are in California they were up to a couple 4 or 5 as of last night. will see if it picked up for them.
I plowed a spot for Keith and his son Andrew before the red baron broke. They got there 8 so we found another fishy area to ruin.
Will say good bye to everyone this morning, regroup, and improvise as we start prepping for the last weekend of walleye fishing. I need to repair or replace the radiator on the red baron asap. Jonny boy got the old one out yesterday so that chore is half done.
Ii was able to get new plow lines made for blue thunder Saturday, plus we installed the new radiator so again blue thunder will be the work horse for a few days.
We also have a few guest coming today and tomorrow, they will be fishing houses that caught fish but will not be moved.
Its something I do not care to do but will defiantly be interesting to see how it all pans out.
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Well its the push to the end of big game fish season. With the amount of snow on the lake looking for the elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie will be a challenge.
The good news is both plow trucks have new radiators.
Were still seeing a few more walleyes caught compared to most of the year, I have no clue why there biting better now other then there fat reserves are waring off from the feasting they did this late summer and fall.
Glen and his crew were up to a few ? 8 this morning with another 10 smaller one's released, so there getting some action. Glen is a fishing machine so if ther'es fish in the area he will catch them.
Darrin and the boys ended up with 7,Jonny boy and Jess have caught a couple. I lost a nice one while cleaning Minnesota yesterday.
Were picking up two of the grand kids today so Jonny boy and Jess will be holding down the fort.
Its pretty quiet out on the lake today with maybe 10 fishermen out there counting my 7 . The guys in montana Andrew, Noah, Chris were sleeping so not sure how they did at this time.
We have 2 early arrivals Friday so just like every day, all winter long we will be busy tomorrow.
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I guess the first thing to say is mother nature is brutal just brutal. With the high winds predicted my plan A turned to plan B on Saturday. I guess that's nothing new this year or most years. Talk about a challenge. It just never stops.
I'm not complaining as the season winds down. We had a great year customer wise. Having all my repeat customers year after year is such a reward as they become friends then customers second. I write more about the highs and lows the next few days as I reminisce about what I woulda, coulda done better.
The fishing on the other hand was probably one of the worst we have seen. My theory is the bait fish in this lake last summer into fall was unreal. We marked fish all year that refused to bite. The only problem with my theory is the early ice bite. But I would guess they were still putting on the feed bags at that time. Then the rest of the year/winter they could live off there fat reserves. I would guess I saw hundreds of fish and not a skinny one in the bunch.
Seeing the winds were going to basically be hurricane forces? After taking the grand kids out to lunch Saturday I fired up blue thunder and headed out on the lake to prep around all the houses. Talk to all our customer and warn them of the up and coming winds. I also stopped and gave the wheel houses I plowed spots for a heads up. Some took my warning and pulled the plug. Brandon and his wife left with there 8, Glen and his son also got there 8 and hit the road. Alisa and hubby got off.
Rick got off the lake early sunday morning just in time. They did not do so well in old Minnesota. It does sound like Rick may come up this summer.
Mark and Sarah were in montana. They also only managed a couple fish but she enjoyed her first ice fishing trip.
California had Jack and his dad. They also did not do that well. They did take my warning and got off the lake before the big winds hit.
Florida had Dan his wife Valli and daughter Brooke. They had outstanding fishing. They headed off the lake sunday once I got out there. I escorted them back to shore along with Darrel in his wheel house.
The winds were unreal by that time, I had to go back out one more time to gather generators, what a mess.
My last stop was to get Boar off the lake and drop gas off to the other Jeff in his ice castle.
Joe and his dad Rick are still out in north Dakota. John and Jess stayed in florida to ride out the winds. So north Dakota is 100 feet from florida and they have caught only a couple fish? I don't think I will ever figure out why that is.
The red baron is running and I guess its time to go check things out. Blue thunders plow stopped going up and down as I was buttoning up my prep work so That's needs to be addressed asap. Stay tuned as we keep on trucking on a grand lake that owes us nothing
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thanks cookie for everything!!
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thanks cookie for everything!!
what he do.........hook a couple eelpout to your hook!!!!!!!!!! :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao:
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how would he do that glemn..
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Yesterday was another grand day working on a grand lake.
Seeing all the news of rescues. We just went about our business and headed out on the best road on red lake . There were only a few that road out the storm. They all new we would be out once the winds subsided.
I dropped the red barons v plow after sledge hammering all the ice off her. Reminded me of the deadliest catch when they have to pound the ice off the ships. I can not imagine doing a whole ship. Wow!
Our plans were simple. Just plow down the center of Hillmens highway to the last wheel house, then work our way back making the trail wide enough to get off the lake. No one out there was panicking,they all were just riding out the furoshise winds. V plowing up to the front of the vehicles is always tricky. Yes we had to shovel a bit. I then backed the red baron in, hooked up tow rope and pulled them out. All and all it went pretty well.
Once we had everyone off the lake. 5 total. Jonny boy and I headed out to take north Dakota and florida close to home. After plowing every one out I decided I needed to throw in the towel. Leaving the houses out chasing the elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie with all the snow seems like a real bad idea at this time. We will see what mother nature does but for now the houses are coming close to home. We do plan on targeting them with the sleds if possible as I have a couple spots I would like to try.
One spot you line up the tree with, the ditch grade, a mile from the main road. Had to throw that in there for my good friend Jake.
Jonny boy and I went about our business. With all the snow the houses did have some flooding issue, but just taking our time, slow and steady, not being in any big hurry as my mentor cousin Pete taught me. We were on the move. It basically took twice the time as normal with all the drifting etc.
Joe and Rick did go home with there 8 with 2 over so that was nice. Both house also had on a big walleye sunday night. I would guess it was the same fish as they do swim around, Joe lost her at the hole in north dakota as well as jess fishing in florida.
Bill and Sharon were the farthest from the road but we were able to slowly make our way out there with the last 20 feet consisting of a little backing up and ramming.
Jeff and Bethany had a pretty good drift in front of them so a little shoveling was in order. Then the tow strap got them on the road.
All my other houses were good from the prep work I did Saturday. No flooding issue and easy to get to.
Today the plans is to get them all closer to home ,then a couple days off as I'm a little burned out.
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:confused: dang that cookie took one heck of a vacation!!!!!!!!!!!! :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao:
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So here's the real scoop. When my season ends I have a hard time . I go from planning 3 days ahead to basically twiddling my thumbs. It something I have had to learn to deal with .
I enjoy writing about working on the lake and meeting, helping fellow fishermen.
I have a list of things to get done. once I start checking them off all things get better as I stay busy. the guys at the golf course nick named it the res runner. Great car but she looks like a beater for sure
All's well on the home front . I need to start fiddling with the boat this week and also the beater car.
I would also like to get all the fuel out of my old 56 mercury. It be fun to get her running better. So I have plenty to do.
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good to hear from ya brother, keep pluging away!!
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Good to hear from ya Cookie! :happy1:
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X 3 Been wonderin :scratch:, figured you had a lot goin on winding down from the season. :cool: :happy1:
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:happy1:
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well not much to sat other then its a grand lake that owes us nothing. The winds from the south made it a challenge to fish. I would say it was more like catching then fishing. What can you say they wanted to harvest some of the fish between 17 and 20 inches . I would say that was a success. All the guys here at our cabins had no problem catching fish Even a couple rookies got in on the action.
I'm hoping some morel mushrooms will start too popping this week.as we finally had temps over 60.
There's no problem with lack of water this year as the lake is more then likely above normal with the tamarac river still flowing at quite the rate.
I did even here of a couple elusive yet still catchable crappies caught. And of all places out in front of our place to boot?
I expect to be going back to work at oak harbor golf course this week so it will be back to the grind.
Every year I have these grand plans of getting my old 56 merc running like a top. Then I get caught up in golfing after work. I also have some repairs from the past winter, plus maintenance on the fish houses.
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awesome cookie!! have fun golfing!!
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Mother nature decided to give red lake a reprieve as she has been getting hammered. Yesterday the ramp was busy all day long. For every boat going out another was coming in. The fishing has been pretty darn good but today the white caps will keep 99% of the fishermen off the lake.
I still have not had much luck finding any morels but I 'll keep looking.
Will be heading back to the Oak Harbor golf course for work next week.
We do have a couple crews coming today.
With all the water this year I expect one of the tough years when it comes to skitters .They can be brutal up here at dawn and dusk.
We plan on doing some fishing again this weekend. Our good buddy Wayne is going to try and make it up.
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good luck cookie! im trying to round up the posse.for.cmapaalooza but aint got to many chimi g in. ill work on em, their more interest in zmakedown.
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With the winds yesterday morning it was a bit quiet on the lake for at least part of the day.
A couples of the guys from Sean crew arrived and did get out to catch enough for a fish fry.
Sitting here this morning the boats have been going by at a pretty good pace. I did watch a semi pass a boat. I'm not sure why people think they can pass other vehicles through waskish as it is painted a double line I see it every day. lets just pray no one ever has a accident as there's driveways all the way through town. Living here 20 years and I have never seen a vehicle pulled over for passing ? Do not see many getting pulled over for speeding either? Oh well.
Frank and the guys will also be rolling in today.
It will be interesting see the harvest numbers when they come out . When we fished last weekend we never caught 1 under 17 so it was a good thing they changed the slot. I have not seen the gigantic schools of shiners like last year. It may have something to do with the water levels but last year it was totally amazing.
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The weather was a factor this past weekend as it was chilly on the lake.
Jonny boy and I tried to find a couple elusive yet catchable upper red lake crappies Friday night with no avail.
We did catch quite a few walleyes though. Will keep searching ,looking for the mother load.
The walleye fishing was definitely slower this week for some. Jonny boy wayne and I did get out twice. Wayne did get to go home with 4.
The new crew that stayed here had a great time and all ready committed to next year. They had a nice camp fire ,did some grilling,played some bags,had a fish fry.
Frank and the guys did find fish with the evening being way better then the morning bite.
Wayne and I did tromp through the woods a bit with no signs of any morels yet.
Back to work today, Ken never showed or called so if you read this give me a a call as I do not have your number anymore.
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I usually do not put out many fishing reports during the summer. Last Thursday while mowing the park I did stop to talk to the census lady as the access was crazy busy. I ask her where all these fishermen come from. She said most from the county. I guess you call them day trippers. Bemidji, northome, kellier, grand rapids etc. She said 121 boats went out that day and most everyone coming in had caught some fish. The lake was like glass that day and one of my favorite days to fish on red myself.
Friday the winds picked up but again the fish were snapping.
Saturday we had some guest for one night Ronnica and Traig. With strong winds straight out of the south we ventured out on the lake. It took us a while to get down towards Rodgers to get out of the 4 foot waves where we drifted spinners and jigs with some fantastic fishing. Lots of fun and laughs with some nice people for sure.
Bobby and Daryl son Justin was also up for the weekend. They went out in the wind friday and found the honey hole where they got 7 limits in 3 hours of fishing. They also managed to get sun burnt and soaking wet coming in . They had a blast and never went out Saturday.
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Its again been awhile since I put a fishing report out.
Working 2 jobs in the summer 5 days a week keeps me plenty busy. I've been seeing the same patterns as most years. The bigger 18 19 inch fish we were crushing are now 13 to 16. There's different theory's. After watching the dnr doing there seining test last summer, if this year is the same there's plenty of food for the fish to eat . They swim to deeper water? There all have been caught?
We did get out twice over the fourth of July with family. Both trips were a lot of fun. Saturday morning we headed to my morning spot with Miss, Eric, Britny and Nick. the weatherman said winds would be less the 3 mile a hour but once we were out there they had to be 12 to 15. As we fished the winds dissipated and by 9 am it was much calmer. Are first fish in the boat was none other then a elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. A nice 14 1/2 incher that my grand daughter brit landed. Eric then got in on the action with a real nice golden eye. I may have to start smoking fish as there seems to be plenty of them if a guy were to target them. Eric had the hot had and landed the most fish, brit was right behind, Nick could not by a bite so I designated him the minnow boy. Miss also had trouble catching any thing but finally landed a monster sheephead. We ended up keeping 6 fish and letting a few small ones go.
The second trip of the day Matty, Elvis, Jonny boy and Nick went again. My grandson Mathew had the first bite, when I checked his bait 90% of the leach was gone. Then Elvis caught on fire, Jonny boy missed a couple before he landed a real nice one, Nick then got on the board followed by Mathew getting a nice 18 incher for the biggest walleye of the two trips. We ended up with another 8 keepers in the live well with everyone missing and landing a couple fish.
Leaches out performed fatheads by far as both trips we burned through 24 leaches in no time. With all the bait fish/young of the year fish. I be leave a leach is like a piece of candy to the fish. We never tried night crawlers.
I also talked to a few fellow fisherman that did well fishing cranks.
The rest of the summer looks real quiet. Neither of the cabins are rented the rest of the summer.
The big bog festival is this weekend. The potluck in the park Friday night is one of my favorites followed by church in the park Sunday morning then a wild rice pancake breakfast here in Waskish. There's a softball tournament in Kellier Saturday as well as car show, kids activity's and two bands Saturday evening. Sunday early afternoon is also the mud runs in the pit here in Waskish, This has really become popular and is always a big turnout.
We then have Hillman's memorial softball tournament coming July 26 27 28th. there always looking for more teams. They start there festivity Friday with beer ball. Saturday after softball they play tackle football in the mad pit which is again a huge turnout. Hillmen's also have a band Saturday night. Then Sunday they finish off there softball tournament.
We then have Westwind Corn hole tournament the first weekend in august . I think the hammer and I may enter as she is also using that nick name throwing bags.
Time to get ready for work, again leaches seem to be the better choice of bait.
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ust like that and summer has came to a end. I'll miss going to work at the oak harbor golf course in Baudette.
We did have a few late summer highlights with our granddaughter Britanie landing a elusive yet still catchable 14 !/2 crappie while we were trolling for walleyes. My grandson Mathew catching a fat 18 inch walleye within seconds of throwing his line out. Him saying hey I got one with me saying no you don't! Only to turn around and say hey maybe you do . Shell chick landings 41 inch pike after throwing a 100 cast with a spinner and 2 minnows. I think I maybe threw about 25 cast before I called it quits. She has always been a above average fisherwoman.
We have started to take reservation for the up and coming ice fishing season. Quite a few or our regulars have already reserved there traditional dates. We have also taken a few new ones.
Talking to The dnr while they were doing there late season test nets. They looked good with a average of 40 fish or so per net. I also heard a rumor of some smaller nets getting quite a few small elusive 5 inch upper red lake crappies erlier this summer. I always like hearing that.
I have talked to a few fisherman the last 2 weeks with some good fishing reports. The last time I was out I got 2 nice fish and lost another.
I've only seen a couple grouse so far this fall but have not even been out to my deer stand yet.
Just like every year we have a little work to get the fleet up and running for the season. All the houses will get another detailing with the heaters fired up.
The Minnesota twins have been a big surprise so I'm looking forward to enjoying rooting for them.
Bob, Rick and James will again be up for deer hunting so it will be nice to see them.
I have plenty of organizing to do to keep me busy for the next few weeks.
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thanks cookie, looking forward tonseeing younthis winter, qnd reading ur reports. hang tough brother
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thanks cookie, looking forward tonseeing younthis winter, qnd reading ur reports. hang tough brother
yea I bet he's dreading that!!!!!!!!!!! :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :mooning: :mooning: :moon:
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We have started to see a few fishermen walking out with good success on this very,very early ice. Jake came up yesterday and ventured ou.Walkedt with his 4 year old son Lakken. They managed to land 6 releasing one just over 20 but keeping 4 healthy fat fish. . Jake raves about how much he likes the way Westwind "the premier resort here on the shores of upper red lake" cooks your catch. So I got to enjoy my first fresh dinner of walleye since this late summer.
Most of the resorts planned on allowing fishermen out last Wednesday the 13th but high winds shifted the ice causing a large gap/crack down on the south shore. It was decided to hold up a few more days to be on the safe side.
Here on the east side it also cracked but pushed together causing a pressure ridge at this time. It sounds like it formed in about 4 feet of water.
Our books here are starting to fill in weekends for jan but still pretty wide open in feb. With many weekday openings where I offer 20% off.
Looking at the long range forecast there is a chance we may have our sleepers out the first weekend in Dec, but only mother nature will help decide that at this time. I'm herring a average of 8 inches of ice at this time . I personally do not venture out on the lake until I can drive blue thunder on the ice. So we need about 6 more inches for me.
We still have plenty of prepping to do with the fleet of houses and vehicles.
I be leave everyone has lodging in sleepers along the shoreline at this time.
My good friends Bob and Rick are here deer hunting this week. It again has been a very quiet year. This is tough country to hunt. One of the areas we hunt has a wolf problem which may or may not have anything to do with it.
I moved my bow hunting stand Wednesday. Last night when I got there two deer had at some time walked within 10 feet of my spot. Darn the luck. I have not tried that spot in the morning but may give it a shot tomorrow morning.
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Well I have dropped the ball with my winter fishing reports. Nov 19th I dozed off while driving and crashed my car. I over corrected when I hit the shoulder and that's about the last thing I remember un tell I woke up 2 hours later with a concussion ,broken ribs, fractured L1 L3 vertebra. I also had bitten my tongue severely plus a few other aches and pains.
Its been a pretty tough month for me physically and mentally. I'm waring a brace any time I'm out of bed for at least 3 months with no lifting. Jonny boy had set up a go fund me page and I can never thank everyone in person for there generosity and prayers in these hard times.
Jonny boy has had to take over with Richy's help on the lake. I think I have taught him enough of how I like to run things as I have not gotten to go on the lake since the 18th of nov. He has been doing the cookie shuffle with the houses and it sounds like the fishing has been decent. The houses have been rented quite a bit since they hit the lake, plus we added another non smoking 24 foot grand ice castle nick named colorado. I checked it out a few days ago and all I can say is wow what a unit that sleeps 4 with 2 double beds and 2 singles.
The season has started about like normal, with road work on Hillmans highway as we help build his road. I sure would like to drive blue thunder soon but not sure I can at this time. We did have a few issues with a alternator and broken wire that shut her down for a day. The white chevy white lightning also had a few hick ups. The big 1 ton red baron has not seen the ice yet. The phone has been pretty busy with some rentals, some shoppers, some questions on ice conditions etc.
Were pretty swamped threw new years which is a good thing. I'm not sure but Hillmans may still have some houses open 218 647 8504 also my friend Thad may have openings through out the next month or two 507 360 6405.
Its a little tougher for me to talk about the fishermen we meet and the conditions on the lake but I will try and stay on top of it a bit.
Again I would like to personally thank all the prayers that have came my way. The wife the Hammer has to deal with me so prayers for her to would be apricated.
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Glad to hear from ya cookie. Hope you have a speedy recovery!
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Love ya cook!! prayers to you and the Hammer!! if glenns wife can put up with the muffin head. kelly can handle this!!
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Love ya cook!! prayers to you and the Hammer!! if glenns wife can put up with the muffin head. kelly can handle this!!
:tut: But you do know :scratch: what glenn's wife does so she's able to deal with it, don'tcha Boar ;)....................................................... she leaves just about every weekend. :doah: :rolleyes: :laugh: :laugh:
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great to hear from ya Cookie!!!
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Hi Cookie. Good to hear from you. Don't overdo it!!!
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Love ya cook!! prayers to you and the Hammer!! if glenns wife can put up with the muffin head. kelly can handle this!!
:pouty: :pouty: :pouty: :pouty: :confused:
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Love ya cook!! prayers to you and the Hammer!! if glenns wife can put up with the muffin head. kelly can handle this!!
:tut: But you do know :scratch: what glenn's wife does so she's able to deal with it, don'tcha Boar ;)....................................................... she leaves just about every weekend. :doah: :rolleyes: :laugh: :laugh:
:tut: :tut: :tut: she's home thiswhole weekend!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :moon: :moon:
hang in there cookie...........just a little setback......you'll be up and running full steam soon enough.
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I hope you are recovering well! Prayers 🙏
Have you got an ice thickness report? And how far out?
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Love ya cook!! prayers to you and the Hammer!! if glenns wife can put up with the muffin head. kelly can handle this!!
:tut: But you do know :scratch: what glenn's wife does so she's able to deal with it, don'tcha Boar ;)....................................................... she leaves just about every weekend. :doah: :rolleyes: :laugh: :laugh:
:tut: :tut: :tut: she's home thiswhole weekend!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :moon: :moon:
hang in there cookie...........just a little setback......you'll be up and running full steam soon enough.
She probably wants hang around & help you decorate. ;) :smiley: :smiley: :nerd: :nerd: :nerd: :nerd:
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Well, well, well., Here goes another report.
As I shared in my last report I'm a little laid up this winter from a car accident. I did go out Saturday eve for a couple hour's to a friends shed party. He is a cattle farmer and had fresh rocky mountain oysters. I even got the hammer to try a bite. It really help me mentally to see some of the locals and have a few laughs. There were some hand shakes and hugs and a little talk how things could of been worse.
I did here through the grape vine that white or orange plain hooks have been the hot set up?
Visiting our customers is still not in the books as I'm also dealing with a concussion that makes it hard to focus.
I did venture out on to the lake yesterday just to check things out. Just as I figured Buddy Hillman has built another outstanding road that you could land your own 747 on. Straight as a arrow, wide as a runway.
The fishing reports have been very mixed. Jonny boy and Richie rich moved at least 4 house yesterday with Minnesota and north Dakotas customers getting a chance to fish a new spot the second day. Jonny boy found a decent spot and moved most of the fleet in that direction. From the sounds of it was a good move as all the houses were having action last night. Good job guys they might be after my job?
Brian and Stacy checked into Montana yesterday . They have been coming for quite a few years just before Christmas so I would like to at least go say hello to them today.
Its still going to be a very busy Christmas as we have 4 units being used Christmas eve and day.
I have heard from just a couple customers over the phone and they all have commented that Jonny boy is taking good care of them whish makes me feel good.
Our books are slowly filling in. But just like the past few years quite a few call last minute looking for a house the next or coming weekend?
I be leave Buddy Hillmans 218 647 8504 and my friend Thad 507 360 6405 may have openings as they have quite a few houses.
I have to talk to Buddy Hillman as I may start hanging out at there store in the morning helping out a bit. At least collect access fees for them early arrivers.
On a very sad day my Mother passed away yesterday, She of course was one of a kind. It was a relief to know she does not have to suffer any more. She was 80 and had a hell of a life. I guess you could say she played like baseball. All out, sliding for home and waring out her body along the way. She was quite the fighter and boy do I have some crazy memories of our child hood. She always said she should write a book and I would have to agree. It might be fun to share a few stories of her crazy life. She met my dad in mpls when she was young. Dad was from right here in waskish , mom grew up just west of Bemidji. There were 10 kids, they basically lived in a shed when they were young. She married John and they moved to Denver where me and my sister were born. Grandma Olga came to see me when I was born and my sister was saying her first word Cookie. That's where I got my nick name as she said, that will be his nick name. Dad was not to happy he said no son of mine will be named cookie. lol. They divorced when I was 3 and she remarried Carl Paulciani when I was 5. He owned a couple different bars in Denver area and that's where all the crazy child hood began
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good to hear ya!! may your Mother RIP...
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so sorry Brother may God give her tired bones rest and you and your Family peace. God Bless Brother!
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So to hear about your Mom Cookie. May she RIP.
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Sorry to hear about your mom, may she RIP. Kind of in the same situation as our Mom passed away Oct 23. Still enjoy hearin from you, keep the reports comin when you can. Take it EZ & get better.
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my sympathies cookie. looking forward to them stories !!!!!!!
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Sorry to hear about your Mom Cookie. Rip.
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Thanks for the stories, Cookie. Love to hear about how people ended up where they are.
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Merry Christmas to all my friends and fellow friends. Jonny Boy and Richey Rich were busy elfs last night as they put up a few Christmas trees for Shella and her crew. They also put one up for Dan and mel. Mel will be doing a prime rib today on the ice so my mouth is watering all ready just thinking about it. This year will be pretty tough writing who is who in what house at this time as the lingering concussion from my car accident is effecting more then I would like. In fact I'm typing this right now with one eye closed as I'm have double vision.
Trying to watch the vikes loose Monday night was like watching 18 players, 2 footballs, 2 goal post etc.
Jason, Gale, there dog named pepper are in Florida. They arrived a little early yesterday so I escorted them out in white lightning. I'm all so not spose to lift any thing over 10 pounds at this time. Did you know a 12 pack of Pepsi weighs 10 lbs? Crazy! a gallon of milk weighs 6.8. Jonny boy and Rich were in the process of moving the house so once we got out there I left them in Jonny boys hands. If I remember right they had gotten 3 so far in a few hours of fishing.
Mopar Rick was in California I think they got 6 keepers and a eel pout. Jonny boy got one the other night on a rattle wheel. The hammer said he reached down and grab it but was shocked when he brought it up and he screamed like a girl Lol. Maybe not like a girl? Jonny boy all so got a nice golden eye the other morning. I told him to start saving them and once we have a few we will get them smoked.
Shella and her crew of boys are here another night so will see how they did later today.
If I remember rite old Minnesota had gotten 15 fish on its new spot."
If it works out the hammer and "eye" will be fishing in there tonight on the same spot. If "EYE" get one, I'm putting it down as two with this double vision so I should easily out fish the hammer for once.
Joe and his paw all so showed up last night for Colorado So we will see how they did over night later today. They all so got a tree in front of there shack but I'm thinking maybe they do not celebrate Christmas.
Vin and his crew had old Minnesota and north Dakota Saturday and Sunday ,they went home with 20 so Jonny boys move paid off.
Never heard how Quinten in the snow bear did?
Brian and Garret were here one night in Kentucky Sunday night. They did all right with 15 fish landed taking home 6?
I'm all most sure I missed something but that the best I can do for now.
It gets crazy after today for 6 days in a row. Jonny boy is limping blue thunder as we have a bad upper ball joint that needs to be addressed. The red baron will more then likely go out the next time it snows. The hammers car is getting a cv joint at this time. I all so want to track down my car as I think it went to a auto salvage yard? I still have the tidal? She had 4 new tires, a new alternator just prior to my crash, a new radiator also.
The last thing I would like to say is again thank you to everyone that donated to our fundraiser page, as bills are starting to roll in. All so all the prayers are much welcomed.
Then all the prayers and well wishes for the loss of Jonny boys grandma and my mom. She loved Christmas . Since she ended up in Iowa 20 years ago Christmas was harder as we never got together much.
When Bob my step father retired they bought a 5th wheel to become snow birds? 20 some years ago they stopped in Iowa on there way to Colorado to see Bobs mother. Her health was failing so they ended up staying. There they cared for her. My mom and Bob nursed her and his brother back to health. In the mean time. 15 years went by. When they passed my parents were not healthy enough to travel . Bob and mom got in a car accident and totaled the 5th wheel truck. My mon got banged up pretty good. She was a fighter and had no problem coming back from that. fast forward 5 more years, mom was closing in on 80 ,her health started to go down hill. Bob aka Grandpa closing in on 90. My Mom is way better off now in heaven as she was suffering. I personally have trouble understanding why some things happen? Why did she have to suffer so much at the end?. But they all happen for a reason. Just like this stupid car accident for me. I have a feeling when mom got to those gates the lord said you have a little explaining to do first. Again thanks for the well wishes and prayers as they are apricated more then you could ever imagine
cookie
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Merry Christmas to you and yours to cookie!!! and a good report too!!!
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Yup, good to hear your reports Cookie. :happy1:
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3 inches of snow threw a wrench in to the operation. At least we avoided the high winds. With a chance of up to 10 inches of snow predicted this weekend, starting Saturday. I will be stepping outside doing the no snow snow dance today for sure.
Yesterday I had the treat of hanging out in I and the Hammers favorite house old Minnesota. Lets say it was atreat as I actauly got a couple more trinkets I found under the bed that I have been trying get screwed into the wall for more then one winter. Most years there never seems to be the time. Being layed up all winter as far as working I'm going to get to fish in all the houses. I will also get to do some scouting /fishing. Lets hope I do not get to spoiled.
Jonny boy and Richy Rich seem to be doing a outstanding job the first 2 weeks of the season. The houses have done above average for fishing , With not one complaint. The few customers I have spoken to have all said your son is taking good care of us. That sure puts a smile on my face.
Yesterday we again had a hick up on blue thunder as the boss plow stopped working . With great relief Jonny boy found a area to wiggle some wiring to get it operating again this morning. They will have to try and track down the culprit.
The red baron also hit the lake as the 3 inches of snow needed to be cleared off of Hillmans highway. Jonny boy said she or he performed well.
Joe and his paw were in Colorado and were up to 19 fish with another dozen missed. I think this has to be 4 years they have came up. They were having a grand time on a grand lake last night.
The guys in Kentucky were here just for the day . They had 4 kids and 2 adults. Not sure of the total but they had a bucket full of fish when I said goodbye last night.
Dan and Mel did a prime rib on a rotisserie Christmas eve. The hammer and I went out and enjoyed a delicious meal on the ice. They have been coming up here for over 15 years summer and winter. Mel had the biggest fish so far last night a healthy 22 incher.
Jonny boy has been catching fish every night , having to pull up the rattle wheels to get some sleep.
Richy Rich and his gal Shelia have also been fishing . Not even sure how many they have caught?
Jason and his gal bailed a day early with the 3 inches of snow coming. I did talk to her Sally? Not Gale on the phone yesterday and they made it home fine . She said they got there 8 I think ? 7 for sure.
Now for a little venting, My car accident has given a concussion to boot. 3 different doctors not one gave me advise on what to do. I spent a hour researching it a few nights ago. Turns out I have the worst of 4 types. looking further into it . I have been home sine the 26th of November. Some of the things I read, stay off of phone, texting , internet. Avoid bright lights. I have been walking down to the lake on the sunny days as my back doctor said I could walk all I want as long as I have the brace on. Avoid tv? I have been watching tv since I got home, Eat plenty of fish? salmon etc. lots of veggies and fruit. I put a small Christmas tree up with white lights errrr.
So the scoop is. Please call do not text if possible. I will be doing my best to avoid internet, phone, brite lites. tv etc
Thanks I will have a fresh report Monday or Tuesday
The last thing as that Old timer told me that use to host the Viking purple people eaters. Its A Grand lake and owe us NOTHING! NOTHING
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sure hope ya get over that concussion quickly!!
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Most want to now know what the conditions are like.. Each resort has there own problems to deal with so please give them a day to evaluate the conditions. Most will post info once they know. Calling and texting today only slows every one down in my own opinion.
The week between Christmas and new year is super busy every year.. It may of even been busier with red lake allowing wheel houses out. Those that decided to ride out the storm got to experience what all the resorts and outfitter get every year. Those that pulled the trigger and left the lake made a good decision as once these storms roll in you are basically stranded.
Jonny boy and Richy rich were able to stay on the lake with our customers. They had a sled out there which was huge, as that was more then likely the only way to move around. I have had to stay on the lake a few times over the years during these types of storms and its not for everybody.
The hammer and I tried to go to the cities this weekend and made a bad decision trying to take white lightning. She had to drive be cause I did not feel comfortable dealing with this concussion. Time we had gotten to grand rapids my back was a hurting , the hammer was also stressed as she has never driven a pick up on icy roads. White lightning has been a lake truck since we acquired it. Saturday morning I took it for a ride down the highway and realized how sloppy the steering is.. We decided to hunker down and wait out the storm and get back home as there was no way my back could take the ride.
Not being able to take care of my customers was driving me crazy, then yesterday when the guys were digging out I needed to know more. They were so busy they really had no time to give me minute to minute updates. Which was again driving me crazy. Today I have to give Jonny boy and Richy Rich a pat on the back as they dealt with all the citations on the lake.
I did get to see both the red baron and blue thunder go by last evening to get more fuel . They got a major workout yesterday with another day coming up. The hammer and I picked up a new alternator for the red baron , Today I need to look at the batteries and get them replaced asap.
I had a very nice email from Vin that was here a week ago. They had a blast in north Dakota and old Minnesota and would like to come back next year. I've also have had more then one compliment that Jonny boy and Richy rich are doing a great job out there which defiantly takes some of the worries out of me.
Its really hard to break down who were in houses and which house caught some fish. From the sounds of it the area we set up was nothing like it was before? Same old pattern, the area gets overwhelmed with traffic plus surrounded ,then the fishing tapers off...
I have no clue how north Dakota did. I'm thinking they got off the lake before the storm hit.
Keith is still in Florida, I did talk to him last night, they rode out the storm , if I remember right they have caught fish needing one more for there limits. I'm not even sure who is with him.
Pat ryan and the kids had old minnesta and montana. they had only gotten 5 the first day which they took to westwind for dinner on Saturday. Sunday they were snowed in and had to stay a extra day.
Our grand daughter Ashly poo and kevin have only landed a few fish in California as they also rode out the storm.
ken and his daughter came a day early to beat the storm sothey also rode out the storm in Colorado, I'm also not sure how Jeff and Bethany did in Kentucky.
Matt and his daughter had a grand time on a grand lake and said they would come again. They also got off the lake before the brunt of the storm.
Yesterday I had to cancel some new arrivals with possibly more to follow until we can evaluate the conditions out there.
All the house need to be pulled out of there spots as the whole area has to be evacuated, There were so many wheel houses ,trucks etc in that area the drifting has created a lot of weight in that square mile for sure.
I hope to know a lot more tomorrow but mother nature was not kind to us over the weekend
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Keep 'em comin when your up to it. :cool:
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and what a storm I'm hearing you all had!! good write up!!! :happy1: :happy1:
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My wife just showed me a picture of red lake from Facebook. Was from red lake fishhouse rentals. Holy moly bring the chest waders. It was pretty ugly.
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dce
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Not a whole lot to report on the fishing as most of the resorts and outfitters have been trying to make new plans. 2 days were spent up here getting too wheel houses, followed by rentals. The red baron and blue thunder had there first major workouts of the year. Have not heard yet but red baron may of blown a radiator hose last night. We took blue thunder up to David's to try and thaw out in his shop over night as I have never seen so much ice on her. Should of took a picture. Even though it set all night she still had ice in the back.
It's really hard after 18 years to not be able to be out there improvising, going from plan A to plan B all the way to lets start over. I did talk to one of my best friends Billy aka The Greek as Grandma Olga nick named him about my concussion? He mentioned I need to also rest my brain, which makes total sense. Other then its really hard to when every thing you have work for all these years is out of your hands. Jonny boy and richy rich have been doing a outstanding job. But this storm created quite a few problems I have not even experienced. I did get out there the 31rst to see for my self. From what I saw a good mile by mile where the majority of the wheel house and rental were is probably shot for the year. All the drifting created a lot of weight . I will be so relieved to know or see all 8 rentals safely on new ice completely away from that area. We have been canceling reservation day by day so far. If all plans go well we may be in operation today with one house being used as a day house for Tom and his crew. Then Pat and his crew will be up today using Kentucky as a cabin possibly fishable? Rick and his crew will be up Friday morning for north dakpta followed by Bradly staying in Colorado.
As far as I know Hillmans is still closed to all wheel houses and traffic.
Each resort is dealing with there own problems. Flooding, making new routes etc . It would be nice to take a cruise on each resort to see how each one has improvised. That is out of the question as driving is out for now. As the Greek mentioned that is not resting my brain.
Buddy Hillman purchased a tractor with a snow blower to re open his road, which is a first for me to see on his road, It will be interesting to see how its working. From the sounds of it she was throwing snow last night.
Our grand daughter Ashley has been up here before the big blow , she rode out the storm on the lake in California. It nice to see her step up and help where she can as she a has always been a good helper. She was nice enough to gather garbage, retrieve frozen in extension cord s etc., She also shoveled a path for our garage. That's it for about now as I need to rest my brain.
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OUCH..... i got a buddy headed that way this morning..........hillmans was the destination!!!!!!!! i warned him via text!!!!!!!!!
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My wife got a text from our friends there headed to LOTW
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At this time again its hard for me to report much. Richy rich's better half did have a good flurry of fishing yesterday while the guys worked . She said she had never caught so many walleyes? Being last year she caught one? maybe she caught 3 or 4 and that's a lot?
Jonny boy is having a hard time leaving that area but it just has to be done, With all the snow drifts one dusting followed by strong winds could be a disaster as all those trails will catch snow causing more weight..
I personally would like to make a trip out there today to measure some ice thickness. Checking out all the other resorts is not in the books at this time.
Just from following all the resorts on social media every single one had different circumstances . It only makes sense that the further south has the most snow with the wind blowing north NE that night.
I'm still unsure when and if Buddy Hillman will again let traffic out on the lake. He does have a few rentals out there with the 12 man double decker sleeper, sitting on fresh ice.
Were not full this weekend which is a good thing as the boys keep working on getting our houses on to fresh slush free ice.
I will have a fishing report come sunday, Monday as We will have 14 guys out there wetting a line not counting the help.
I know that buddy Hillman's was making progress with the tractor and snow blower. Jonny boy was out helping plow the main road with the red baron into the night after we put on a used upper radiator hose.
I'm feeling a little better everyday by 1% if that? Resting my mind from my concussion is probably the toughest. I have looked into meditation so will see how that helps.
The phone calls are a problem but way better then weeks ago when I would cringe when the phone rang.
It amazes me how many people call looking for something this weekend or next. Looking at the books were good with reservation until the last weekend of Jan. Yesterday I had a string of calls in a row, as a outfit was calling there customers to tell them this weekend was a no go. I truly wish we could help them. Buddy Hillman may have something but they would need to call Hillmans, 218 647 8504 calling me does no good..
I may know today when they may be able to open there road again . Going off road is out of the question though. A sled or something with tracks is really the only way to get off the road. I'm not even sure if v plowing a spot are a option at this time?
I'm hoping I can go out again today to say hello to rick and his crew in north Dakota. I would also like to say hello to Pat and his crew.
Dan and Mel had to come up with a plan b after they got flooded out where they were at. They have been fishing and staying in our Florida House. Dan has also rolled up his sleeves helping out Jonny boy and Richey rich. He said yesterday he has a lot more respect to what we go through now that he has dealt with a taste of the operation. Funny it made me think about the year we camped with the cowboys at the Effie rodeo. After hanging out with them for 3 days I learned they traveled from small town rodeos week to week. If they were lucky enough to get in the money it was a win. Most had some type of injurie they were nursing. They all had pick ups with horse trailers. Man what a way to make a living.
well time to rest my mind and do my new thing "meditation",
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It is a constant flow of wheel houses coming up here now with Red out of commission too.
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I have a portable sitting in the garage and a wheelhouse buried in the back yard, neither have been on ice yet. The Brainerd lakes are a disaster, many of our most popular lakes have ZERO houses on them. REW, like you said, I bet you guys are absolutely crazy with houses.
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Great to hear from you Mark, Hawg. Hope all is well with you.
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It is a constant flow of wheel houses coming up here now with Red out of commission too.
italked to my friend that headed to LOTW;s after a no go on red. he said just looking around the area he's at he bets there's a million dollars worth of sleepers in his area.
my wife also red lake fishhouse rentals moved there operation up to the LOTW;s, per a facebook post.
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Great to hear from you Mark, Hawg. Hope all is well with you.
same here!!!! :happy1: :happy1: I see though your starting trouble next door!!!!!!!!! :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao:
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We survived another weekend, boy was it quiet out there. With Hillmans highway closed to wheel houses.
Buddy Hillman and the guys have the ice road again in pretty good shape. Going off road at this time is a bad idea unless you have a sled or track vehicle.
Just like always the fishing could of been better but no one got skunked.
Old Minnesota had Toms buddies. Tom comes every year and rents 2 of westwinds day houses plus one of there lake cabins.
They only managed to get a couple fish on a new spot.
North Dakota had rick matt and mike, They had some action but just like most of the time the second night was not as good as the first. I think they got 9.
Florida had Mel and Dan. Dan helped Jonny boy and Richy Rich all week digging out all our houses and getting them on fresh ice. They also had to rescue there house from the storm. They also caught a few fish.
Montana had Kevin and Nancy the hammer sister. They managed to land 12 fish plus had a big pike on twice. Fishy area?
Colorado had Bradly and his crew. I have no clue how they did.
Kentucky had Pat and his crew I think I escorted them out on Friday? Stupid concussion. I drove by them Saturday and saw they were cleaning fish outside so that was a good sign.
California had Darrin and his family. They left early Sunday but Darrin did have a diesel truck with a plow so Jonny boy recruited him to help with Hillmans road/ highway. Plus they rescued some ones wheel house Saturday. I think they got 9.
Today is me and the hammer 42nd annerversity . We met 44 years ago yesterday. I had met her brother on the school bus. He ask if I would like to come over on the ride home. As we went down stairs Kellie was coming up the stairs. When we got to the basement I ask Dan who was that? he said my younger sister. It was love at first sight, 2 years and 1 day later we were saying I do in a court house in south Dakota as we were to young to marry in Minnesota with out my mothers permission.
Speaking of my mom she passed away recently which was a god send as she was suffering. My mom remarried when I was 4 when I was 6 Carl my first step dad and her got in some type of argument, Next thing you no mom was at My dads car lot in Denver getting a car. It was a 55 lavender caddy. She loaded me and my sister up and we came to waskish to see my grandmother Olga my dads mom and hide out from Carl. We spent the whole summer here swimming, fishing, getting eaten alive from horse fly's, skitters and dear flys. My mother also met Bob which would become my second step dad 9 years later here? Carl did track us down. He showed up late in the summer and drug us back home to Denver. I remember driving back in that caddy , we drove through the 66 floods of Nebraska. That car set behind the garage where we lived until we moved and Carl left it there. I plan on sharing a few more stories from child hood and memories of my mom Thelma Parson, Halvarson, Paulciani, Jennings she was married 3 times. She was with Robert jenning for 45 years.
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good report and good reading!!! Ya sound some better too!!!!
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thanks it only took me like 2 hours getting better 1 % better everyday. Never was 100 % so 75 80 should be good :crazy:
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thanks it only took me like 2 hours getting better 1 % better everyday. Never was 100 % so 75 80 should be good :crazy:
that sounds a heck of a lot like me!!! :rotflmao: :happy1: 1% is better than nothing and thats for sure!!!
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Great to hear from you Mark, Hawg. Hope all is well with you.
same here!!!! :happy1: :happy1: I see though your starting trouble next door!!!!!!!!! :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao:
never could keep my fingers shut. 👍
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I ended up on the lake for a good part of the day yesterday as we had a flooding problem a mile off the main road where we had the houses. None of the houses had any flooding problems but our main road cracked from the weight of all the snow plus the mild temps might of had a hand in it. Stupid mother nature is again showing us she is the boss. Always has been and always will.
Years ago we also had a similar problem as the lake. It cracked all over and most if not all the secondary roads flooded. Some became very deep, then the cold temps blew in glazing them over. Throw in a little blowing a snow to insulate them. Next thing you know your driving along and crash you brake threw only to be hung up from all the ice chunks sitting in over a foot of water. You had no real idea which road was safe to drive on.
The big storm sure made a mess of things in a good square mile of the lake. Yesterday the first thing is blue thunder was out of commission due to a broken u joint . The red baron was sitting out on the lake next to old Minnesota and would not move as the rear brakes were frozen with ice.from plowing on the Hillmans highway, then driving threw water.
We get the torpedo out there and the stupid thing will not work. Back through the standing water on the "secondary roads" breaking though the ice that had formed to borrow a working torpedo. Plus buddy Hillmans parachute to cover blue thunder up to block the wind. Oh did I mention the wind was howling out there yesterday out of the north west with the temps hoovering around 9. I"m in my pajama bottoms to boot, plus tennis shoe as that's the easiest things to ware having this brace on.
Finally after some chipping and heat we got her to move.. I would cut a new trail, she started off well but after 2 football field the pure white snow blowing off the v-plow turned into wet slush. Now I'm throwing slush instead of snow. Getting around to the house I went through 2 or 3 more slush pockets. Having no choice it was hammer down until I hit snow again. We now had a trail to the houses and blue thunder with water filling them in not wide enough to pull the skid houses through . It doesn't end here though.. I go back to get jonny boy so he can take out the drive shaft and bring it to shore as we need a vise to install the new u-joint. Its also time to fill up the red baron. Pounding off some of the ice on her at the gas station.
I came home to take a break waiting for him to call and also get out of my wet tennis shoes.
Of course the place where you install the u joint is mushroomed so jonny boy has to try and file it down enough to in stall the caps. Again we head back out but now at least I have more clothes on plus boots that the hammer had to help me put on, stupid brace I can not tie my own shoes.
I again try another route around the water and hit slush again. I drop off Jonny boy Then try to make the trail wide enough to get the skid house out of the area. Jonny boy calls to say we need u joint straps as the other ones are to damaged from when it broke. I again head back to pick him up. We head over to help Richey rich's house turned around and back to the main road. W3e get that done, turn around to go back out to retrieve white lightning which has been idling all day.
Now the sun is setting, the generators need to be filled . I come home to start chipping and hammering ice off the red baron ,jonny boy and rich pull in to help me. As the three of us are hammering away it totally reminds me of deadest catch when they have to de ice the ships. One hour later I'm off to Davids to put her in his shop to hopefully melt what ever is left. The hammer picks me up and I'm physically and mentally shot. I guess a little hard work pays off as I had my best sleep since my car accident.
On a bright note we have fisherpeople in montana, florida, north Dakota, and north carolina . I can say some fish have been caught but how many? Buy who is another story. I'm not making the rounds at this time due to my concussion .
Today the goal will be to get both ice castles out of the area followed by old Minnesota and California.
I would say yesterday was a grind. Today we also be a grind. we need to get blue thunder up and running. Jonny boy will have to install it out on the lake with a predicted high of - 10.
I guess all you can say as That old timer Dave told me with spit coming out of his mouth. Its a grand lake and it owes me or us NOTHING! NOTHING!
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I keep hearing things from different folks about what's happening up there and it's crazy.... take care and good luck!!
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So does this mean you are taking care of yourself??
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Ya Cookie. Sounds like you are pushing yourself a little more than you should.Take care of yourself.
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it was a crisis for jonny boy, had no choice. I think we have it under control now :crazy:
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First things first, we are looking to add to the fleet. wanted running driving mid chevy 4x4 truck, 350 engine ,automatic, tranny. Straight blade boss plow would be nice. Other option is a parts truck 84 chevy automatic tranny 4x4. If anyone knows of one sitting on a farm or behind a garage etc. you can contact me at 218 556 6197.
Fishing report to follow,
It has been quite the week here on the shores of upper red lake, I learned I can not do much at this time if I want to heal.
We had john and his crew in north Dakota, Pat and his family in florida having a grand time on a grand lake. Dominic and his dad in montana for 2 nights Vern in north Carolina.
John and the crew figured they got 25 walleyes,
Pat,Savana and son Dustin? They have eaten fish every night plus got a elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie.
No idea how Dominick did as well as vern?
The boys have had there hands full trying to get our houses out of the area onto fresh ice.
Blue thunders broken u joint turned into a nightmare as the hammer and I had to track down u joint straps All the way to Bemidji. We also picked up a upper ball joint for blue thunder and a alternator for the red baron.
Blue thunder lasted all of one day before blowing out the rearend errr. Jonny boy and Richy recruited some help this morning to finish up moving the house for todays guest.
I've always babied my trucks, blue thunder 2 is our banking, unbanking and cleaning up the roads, plowing the driveway etc. fish house moving machine. The red baron cuts a beautiful trail, helps throw snow to the south of buddy Hillmans main road and in a pinch also moves houses. White lightning is our hauling gear around truck plus maybe my new driver to work next summer vehicle . Mother nature has not been kind to red lake this year. there are areas that have flooded. going off road is out of the question with out a v-plow to cut a trail, If snow is not pushed away the weight of the houses combined with the snow will create flooding around houses. There s still 20 plus inches of ice under the water but as the flooded water freezes it basically become a ice skating rink. If the trails have to much snow piled up on both sides and you get a crack or augured hole it basically become a canal full of water and a new trail needs to be cut.
I would say were hand cuffed of ware we can set up at this time. Anywhere there was a house set up during the storm has created slush fields. I would estimate there were over 100 houses out of Hillmans during the storm, not counting rentals.
Will all that freeze under the 20 inches of snow we have out there? Not sure but I expect it will not.
Buddy Hillman had to purchase a tractor with a snowblower just to get his main road back, as there was just to much snow to move. The main road is now in pretty good shape but is closed to all wheel houses un tell further notice. We have our rentals out there as well as buddy Hillmans rentals so our guest can access the houses.
Buddy's double decker fish house that sleeps 11 has been open every weekend as fisherpeople keep canceling? Everywahere I have measured ice has ranged form 19 to 22 inches.
I got recruited to clean old Minnesota this morning, as the boys work at getting all the houses set for guest arriving today. With out bluethunder there will be quite a bit of number 2 shoveling for the guys. Throw in 50 plus hole augured I might have to buy them dinner tonight.
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Here goes nothing,
My good customer /friend Larry arrived Friday for old Minnesota, north Dakota and florida. I can say for sure Larry landed 2 16s 4 over 20 one line breaker. all his buddies no clue.
I heard through the grape vine north Carolina did well
California with jarred no clue,
Andy Andy had montana they also did not do well, Blake and Sam were in Kentucky no clue but not good,
The guys in Colorado not good,so moving all the houses in was not the ticket?
The boys have another busy schedule again this week.
My as well throw in some snow coming tonight to boot.
soo sorry about the poor report. I slipped on the ice Friday, I did not fall but realized I can not help/work on the lake this winter period.
I'm sticking to paper work, organizing, recovering.
On a side note we all need to make the world better if possible so here are a few tips. I will continue to throw in a few the rest of the season.
Say hello! nothing chaps me worse then when someone is to good to say hello back. Years ago I worked at touslyy ford. the managers would not give you the time of day. I ended quitting and going to white bear dodge.
Saying thank you cost you nothing.
Support local. No reason to get all your supply's for the big trip up north down in the cities.
Last one Read more.
We have guest coming through out the week so we will see how they do. Were still handcuffed on where we can go at this time. Hillmans highway is still closed to wheel houses. Rental and portables for now as far as I know.
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Good report Cookie and I could agree more on your tips. Glad you learned to stay off of the ice without making matters worse.
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:happy1: :happy1:
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Well again not being able to visit customers make for a poor fishing report.
We did have Tim and his crew in north Dakota for a few nights. I know that did catch some fish but I have no numbers to speak of.
Scott and his crew came Tuesday for one night. They played cards and enjoyed hanging out. They did have some action around 3 in the morning . They were headed up to low for there annual trip.
I did find a rear end for blue thunder, Jonny boy and Richie worked there rearends off last night . Jonny boy drove her home around 3 30 am. It never ends as now they have plenty of work this morning as they finish banking houses and auguring holes.
Mother nature has not been nice this year, All the customers arriving today will have to make plans to hunker down..
Sitting here on the computer the wheel houses headed to low keep on going by. I sure would be curious how many are registered in Minnesota. Got to be a crazy number.
I did make a trip to see dr about my fractured vertebra. It was very scary seeing the ct scan pics. from right after my accident tell 2 months later. When you fracture them they slowly collapse. Think of squishing a marshmallow on one side as that's what they now look like. They do not want to see them get any worse or some type of surgery would be in order.
were closed next week as I'm headed down to Iowa for my moms funeral. She had a crazy life with 2 divorces. She then married Bob for 44 years. He has been a great dad to me, Turning me on to deer hunting when we moved to Minnesota when I was 16. he bought me my first rifle a 30 30 marlin.
He also had a brand new snowmobile that I got too enjoy.
When I was about 12 my stepdad Carl got a boat, they named it harmony after the bar he owned . We took it to the lake one Saturday where my mom went water skiing, When he swung around to drop her off she came right up on shore as she let go to late. She did a face plant right in front of us in the sand. I will never forget seeing that. They were drinking so I do not remember her being hurt.
The last thing is again lets all try and make the world a better place.
If you can volunteer do. Its something I need to do for sure.
Donate your cloth if possible.
As a family try to eat together.
no politics at work
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awesome cook!! lov ya brother!!
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Well we made it home from my moms funeral in Iowa late last nite. Fishing report to follow.
Jonny boy and Richie will be busy today as they get out on the lake to make some decisions on what we can do for the up and coming weekend.
After slamming on blue thunder last week installing a used rear end in blue thunder she lasted all of one day . While plowing out our driveway after a long day before banking un banking plowing moving houses etc she broke a front outer axel shaft. All this snow and slush has put my poor trucks through a work out. Getting stuck then trying to get them out is so much harder on them. I have always babied my fleet as much as possible. This year that is all most if not impossible. We were able to find parts on the way home so hopefully with a little luck we can get her up and running asap.
Some of the outfitters have pulled the plug for this year. Rumors fly on the internet making our winter even tougher? Most of the outfits that live here year long are still open. The wheel houses have drawn the short straw this year.
Every season is different when it comes to mother nature. It is just the way it is. I have been preaching for 20 years she is the boss . One year the ice froze like a skating rink . I could of ice skated all the way to the north shore, another year the lake cracked all over the place? Another year we had over 3 feet of ice maybe closer to 4. Another year we hauled snow from shore to bank the houses. Another year it was 40 below for 5 days with highs 30 below.
Trying to share how all the house's did last weekend again is kind of a nightmare. We headed out of town sunday while everyone was staying tell Monday. Sarah and her crew did manage to get 4 over 17 with a total of 15 fish taken home. From what I gathered the fish started to bite sunday? No one got skunked as far as I know. Again the rest of the houses caught some fish but I have no numbers. Not being able to visit and get to know my customers has been tough on me. I want to get in a truck right now so I can go checkout the lake my self. After the little slip a couple weeks ago I keep telling my self I can not help period. I'm still hoping I can atleast do a little fishing in old Minnesota before the season ends. As long as I do not catch one over 10 lbs since that my weight restrictions of what I can lift. If I do get any fish I will just have to hoist them out of the hole since bending over is tough with this brace on plus the brace is to stop me from bending.
Again sorry about the poor fishing report, its been a long week traveling to southern Iowa and back.
At this time we are going day by day or week to week as we see what mother nature throws at us.
Again a few tid bits as we all try and make this world a better place.
Laugh more you only live once, laughter is the best medicine.
Be honest its a lot easier to remember the truth then to make things up.
Give complements, open doors, lend a helping hand.
Call your parents,
Don't hold grudges. forgive and forget.
Love thy neighbor,
Pay it forward,
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Still a good report Cookie. :happy1:
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excellent report!!
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:happy1: :happy1:
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The boys John and Richy and our grand daughter Ashly kept busy Thursday into Friday. After spending most of the day lite out on the lake they started to tackle blue thunder again. Working in the dark with White lightnings headlights giving them light, I have no clue how they repaired her again. From my research they would need a few specialty tools . I woke up Friday morning to look out the window to see blue thunder turned around.
With customer arriving. Ashly was going to clean and detail the houses. Around 9;30 after a couple calls to Ashly I walked over to wake her and crack the whip. There would be plenty of time to sleep sunday. After rousting her I find out once they got blue thunder going they headed out on the lake tell 5 am, prepping for the weekend. I think Jonny boy was on a mission to get all the houses on fresh ice. I again stayed off the lake most of the day, until customers started arriving. I figured I could escort them out so the crew could keep plugging away.
Once I dropped off Cody and his family off at Colorado fish house I drove over to say hello to Rick and the guys in North Dakota fish house. I have no clue what time they checked in but they had 2 in the bucket and had released a couple smaller fish. That was at least a encouraging site as I plan on fishing old Minnesota everyday starting sunday. Old Minnesota is just south of north Dakota 150 feet or so. I can see how I can do after we have clients fishing in it yesterday and today. I plan on fishing it 3 or 4 nights in a row before the guys move it for the up and coming weekend for Wayne and Paul.
Kevin and his crew are staying in Kentucky .They brought sleds so are planning to go find the fish rather then wait for them to swim under the house.
Jonny boy and Richy got the last house moved, California while the customers waited. I did visit for a minute . They were being very patient plus excited to see the house being prepped onto a new spot.
Yesterday morning I took the red baron to the gas station to fuel her up. I've got to be honest. It felt good to feel the power of that 454 as I shifted the gears to see how the tranny felt.
Today I'm going to clean up our driveway with blue thunder to see how she feels.
Next week the guys getjust a little break as nothing is rented un tell Friday when again we have a full house.
I'll shoot for a fishing report Monday morning as 3 of the houses have repeat customers that I can maybe visit a bit.
Its a busy Saturday here on the shores of upper red lake. Red lake adventures has there big walleye tournament today. register at there place. Rodgers is hosting the ice castle event on land I believe? Jrs under new ownership is having there indoor fishing contest which is a hoot.
Next weekend Hillmans has there super bowl Chile cook off. I asked the hammer to enter. I may also make a entry. Its always a treat to taste different chile's.
A few more tid bits to try and make the world a little better.
recycle old electronics,
Do not spread fake news "not even a fishing report"
Adopt a pet. I sure would like to have a cat again. The hammer would rather wait.
Learn cpr, be a better listener, always say I love you as you never know
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:happy1: :happy1:
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:happy1: :happy1:
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Wow with only a month left of walleye fishing too go it has again been a brutal season on the shores of upper red lake. The grand lake that owes us nothing.
Last year it was brutally cold this week with wind chills below -60. I will have to say I'm happy were not having that right now
For the second time since my car accident I wet a line yesterday for 3 or 4 hours. Th fishing report In old Minnesota after it was fished on a new spot Friday and Saturday was I'm a little out of practice. I was jigging a gold rattling flyer while watching Boston legal. The first fish hit my lure while I was lying on the bed. It caught me totally buy surprise as I was jigging. I set the hook while lying down. Trying to set up while keeping the line tight was not in the cards.
I quickly got another minnow on the lure sent her down. 1 or 2 good jigs and I was marking a fish. Only it was not a fish but my quickly hooked minnow escaping off the lure. Another minnow, back down the hole. I guess I educated that fish as it looked a few times but only nibbled a couple times.
Mean while the rattle wheel went off around the bewitching hour. Rolling out of the bed with my brace on I go over give it a little line, but instead of setting the hook like I normally do.I pulled the line up real slow to feel the fish. I felt it on the line,set the hook and proceeded to rip it right out of its mouth. Glad I was not having fish on the menu as I packed it up a bit later with no fish to take home.
Ashey re grand daughter is up here helping out. Her and my great grand son bently john were going to spend the night out there so we will see how they did later today.
Well the best I can do on my fishing report is all the houses did manage to catch some fish the first 24 hours.as Ashly checked on all them Saturday.
Sean Joff and a friend or relative from Florida were up Friday with there sleds. They managed to find a few fish even getting the guy from Florida his first walleye.
Kevin and his crew were ib Kentucky they also had a couple sleds. Not sure how they did in the house but they did find some fish where they went on there sleds. They even had a little run in with a guy in a v-plow
Shane and his wife were in montana I ran into then Saturday morning. They had landed 4 nice ones fishing large rainbow minnow on a plain red hook Saturday morning. From what I gathered from Ashley everyone was enjoying there stay.
Jonny boy and Richy spent part of the day going out on there sleds looking for the elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. There elusive for a reason, they did find some little scuff it walleyes which was a good sign but no crappies.
We did get another shipment of black and red hoodies in with just a couple pink ones.
We only have one house rented later today so the guys have 3 days to get every thing reset for the up and coming weekend.
I did check the ice thickness Where old sota was It was a solid 27 inches, that explained why there was no flood ing around the house
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ell here goes another fishing report from the shores of upper red lake.
The boys stayed busy all week prepping for the weekend. Asley our grand daughter also got in on the action as she is in training . Richy Rich had to head back home. It sure was nice of him to come up and spend the winter helping us out .
Ashley ready to learn how to plow with blue thunder, she has the fishing down as if were keeping track she is way ahead of me when it comes to catching.
I have a little venting to do before I give a report on how the rental houses did.
When you come through waskish starting from the gas station heading north there are about 24 driveways untell you reach the bridge. The double lines are a no passing. I would be tickled pink if a state trooper or sheriff would start busting the ass hol that think they can pass through town. In fact there more then welcome to sit in my driveway to catch the idiots . The speed limit is all ready 50. Every time one of these jerks it pisssss me off.
Number 2 enough with all the reports of the lake is closed. yes the wheel houses have drawn the short straw this year but the outfits, resorts that live here have gone no where. Every one that has rentals on the lake are giving it 100 %. Knock on wood as we keep plugging away. My houses have always flooded until we get over 20 inches of ice. This year the average ice thickness is around 21. With the weight of the snow when you augur holes it still seeps out a bit . Were not sinking or putting any clients in danger.
Ok sorry
Andy Andy arrived Friday for there second trip of the season. They have been coming up for 11 years I be leave. They always request montana as there house of choice. They also had the Kentucky house rented with Andy's dad Brad, brother Alex and Steve. Montana had the worst fishing of the bunch only getting 4 keepers. Meanwhile Kentucky got 11 keepers with the biggest a 22 1/2 incher. They also missed some fish and released a half dozen small ones.
Wayne and Paul also arrived Friday for old Minnesota. We hung out. Played some cribbage, had some laughs. There house was slow all though they did manage to go home with 8 keepers.
North Dakota had Nick and his friends they had decent fishing .They also took home 3 limits ,plus ate some fish at westwind.
Lee was set up just to the west and also had good fishing.
I checked in the guys in Colorado when they arrived Friday. I have not been making the rounds this year so not quite sure how they did . I do know they caught fish.
Kevin and Rollie were in florida fish house. They have also been coming for years.They had good fishing, ate a few plus went home with there 8.
John from clam and his gal kellie were in California. They were fishing orange flutter spoons having a grand time on a grand lake. They also went to westwind with fish plus took home there 8.
So all in all it was a pretty good weekend for fishing.
Jonny boy and Ashley will be cutting a few new trails as we shuffle all the houses for the up and coming weekend. I again plan on spending as much time as possible wetting a line in old Minnesota.
The phones have been quiet as we go into the final 3 weekends . Were wide open tell Thursday at htis time with one no show yesterday with not even a phone call.
I previous customer called yesterday. Him and his dad were hammering them. I know right where they were in there portables. he said orange was the hot color as his dad had gotten fat 26 inch walleye.
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good report!!
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Ya sounds like good fishing.
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Another solid week of fishing is in the books. Our friend Marty came up to do a little fishing and helping us out Monday. he stayed in our Florida house right where it was from the weekend. He had some action each night heading home Friday. Jonny boy also floated around sleeping in various houses catching a few fish also. Ashly are grand daughter / helper also floated around spending numerous nights on the lake. I would say she caught the most fish.
Tuesday morning we had to get some welding done on the red baron before it could be used on the lake. Marty followed me over to barny's. He was able to get her fixed up in under 2 hours so we hung out rather then drive back.
The plan when we got back was to start prepping new areas to move the fleet. That plan got the kibosh in no time as we broke another axle. This time on the red baron. The vehicles have took a beating this year.
I heard of 4 blown transmissions, and 1 tractor motor from other outfits. That's just a small fraction of the damage the lake has caused this year.
The guys got the red baron back to shore Tuesday evening and started to tare it down. Wednesday morning Jonny boy found a axle I had thrown in one of the sheds, I guess it pays to keep as many old parts as possible.. Marty and I loaded up all the broken and used parts and headed to Bemidji to try and track down the parts. Then have the new u joint and half shaft put back together. That pretty much turned into a full day . Getting back home the guys got going into the evening.
Thursday was spent moving a couple houses in between putting the red baron back together. She still had another issue though as a wire had shorted out the fuel pump. Friday morning Jonny boy found the short as ice and snow had disconnected a connection on the other fuel tank. We also broke a second shock on blue thunder.
Ashley and jonny boy had a busy day getting all the houses ready for the weekend.
Brian and his 2 buddies checked in some time Thursday for 2 nights in Colorado, They did fairly well .They went home with some nice fish ,lost a few and also landed a mid 30s pike. I did get to say good bye to them. They were very pleased and said they would come again.
Sean, Jeoff, Michell, and Payton checked into north Dakota. They had some action also. Payton landed a fat 19 when I stopped to say hello around 5 pm. She was using a orange jig. She said she had read my report from the last week. For only being 12 she had got all 3 of the fish they had on the ice so far.
Danny, Bill and the little one Drake would be arriving later in the evening for kentucky as well as Jeff, Lori , Mike and Haile. checking into Florida.
Kentucky also had good fishing in my book as they ate some fish, plus took home 10. Danny said they also missed a lot of fish. 3am seemed to be a good time to be fishing as rattle wheel were going off in more then one of the houses.
Jeff for florida rolled in around 10 pm, Lori lost a big fish at some point. They ended up going home with 7 keepers plus also missed fish.
Montana set empty as the guy was a no show.
Old Minnesota had Shannon and Adam they arrived Saturday for 2 nights. They have been catching some fish. I hope to say good bye to them this morning. They are from Green Bay. I talk to them briefly yesterday. They had 3 plus missed fish over night. They were having a grand time on a grand lake.
California had 3 younger kids from kellier for the day. Jonny boy said they did catch some fish.
We checked a group into Colorado yesterday as well as john and Mike? into California.
Jake also arrived yesterday with Lakin and Gabriel. I just talked to him. They caught a dozen fish over night with only smaller fish the biggest being 14inches.
We also checked in Paul and his crew yesterday for north Dakota.
It was a very busy sunday here on the shore s of upper red lake
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Counting downs the days is a first for me. Every year mother nature dictates what we can and can not do. This year I guess she decided to keep the fishermen from pounding the lake.
Buddy Hillmans ice road/ highway was only 4 miles out tops. Again his road was top priority. The main road never flooded, some of the side roads were a totally different story. Plowing side road was quite the adventure as you never knew when you would find a slushy area. Once you built a berm on both sides they could become canal of water, anywhere from 1 inch to a foot of water. Driving threw the water when the temps are in the teens caused quite the ice build up on the fleet .
Our rentals have always stopped seeping water once the ice hits about 19 inches, not this year though . With the weight of the snow a couple houses had to be moved shortly after auguring the holes. I can tell you one thing that's never in the plan.
It sounds like the guys still plan on targeting the elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies again this year, only they will be bringing portables and staying on shore. All our houses will be coming home as soon as the last customers leave Sunday, Monday morning.
We did have a couple fishermen this week. Glen and bingo Bob were here for one night. They got off the lake yesterday morning going home with 6 keepers. Desaray and here family did pretty good fishing in Colorado. I never visited them but they said they want to come a gain as they had a grand time on a grand lake.
Jake and the boys ate some fish plus took 4 home Tuesday morning.
Paul and his crew are in north Dakota, they are fishing there third spot in 4 days .Its been a tough bite for them in all three spots. They head home today with another trip in the books.
I fished again yesterday in old minnesota landing a nice keeper and missing a couple fish. I had a outstanding dinner of fresh fish last night and hope to repeat the same dinner for lunch today.
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Nice report Cookie.
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Good report. You guys have had a brutal year this year. Some people have no idea how hard it is to maintain a road system. Some years it is not so bad but then you get a year like this one :bonk:
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Good report. You guys have had a brutal year this year. Some people have no idea how hard it is to maintain a road system. Some years it is not so bad but then you get a year like this one :bonk:
it probably be a lot less work for cookie if only BOAR would stay the hell out of his way!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :super smiley: :laughroll: :laughroll: :laughroll: :laughroll:
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some years? :rotflmao:
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some years? :rotflmao:
:rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :happy1: i new it!!!!!!!!!!!! :rolleyes: :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao:
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As I said yesterday. Counting down the season. 9 days to go. I'm still not sure if Buddy Hillman is allowing wheel houses. I did see him making some driveways off the main road the last few days?
Yesterday I again got to enjoy fishing in old Minnesota. My new plan is to fish like my best friend The greek. We have been fishing, hunting partners for 44 years. He is pretty much a uncle to our kids Billy never sets his fishing rod down when ice fishing. He was always constantly jigging. he hardly ever puts his rod in a rod holder in the boat. when hunting same thing its not very often he would sit his bow or gun down.
Yesterday it payed off for me. I was ripping a chubby darter when a fat 19 inch walleye slammed my lure around 8am. I never even saw him on the vexlar. About a hour later while ripping the chubby darter from salamo, the rattle wheel went off. Just like that I had a nice 16 to go with my one over. .
I did not get to fish last night as I had a last minute chore to do. Oh well I will be hitting it hard next week after our guest leave.
I checked in Jason his wife Bret there two boys Quin and Leon around 4pm. I'll swing by them on the way out to prep old Minnesota for the weekend.
Yesterday were new plugs for blue thunder. They have spark plugs that are 8 99 a piece. 10 plugs with 2 extra were 100 bucks. I decided to go with the 2 99 ngk. Crazy
The new red 3/4 ton fired up yesterday when it was 33 below ,as well as the red baron. Both 454s. Ashley dodge nope. The black chev needs a new battery installed.
We have customers coming today, tomorrow, also sunday the hammers sis shell chick will be fishing old Minnesota Sunday Monday. That gives me Tuesday Wednesday Thursday and the last night Sunday to enjoy old Minnesota.
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1 week to go. Its lightly snowing as I sit here this morning thinking about how the weekend went. Its never easy. I'm not expecting to much snow as I did a little no snow, snow dance as I left the lake last night.
Friday while Jonny boy and Ashly moved and prep the houses I was able to meet customers at Hillmans ,then escort them out.
Ben ,Shawna and the 3 kids Louie, Willa, and the Scully. Were spending 3 nights in north Dakota. It hard to be leave they have been coming 11 years now. Ben proposed to Shawna in old Minnesota. Now they have 3 very cute kids. I did get to visit a bit . all 3 of the kids got there toes wet falling in the holes. But they all ready want north Dakota again next year. The fishing has been a bit slow so I'm not sure how many they have caught. There has been a morning bite so if I remember Ben did get a couple yesterday morning.
Montana had Justin, Lisa and there son Landon? They headed home yesterday with 10. Landon landed the biggest a 21 1\2 incher. I did get a note from them .They enjoyed there stay and plan on coming next year.
Colorado had Jason wife Bret and 2 kids Quin and Leon, both the kids did get to land a fish. It was also slow but they had a nice family vacation and took home a fish fry.
Florida has Derrick and his crew. They arrived Saturday. One of the guys gave me some smoked salmon that was the bomb.
It has also been slow for them so hopefully last night it picked up. they had a few and did loose a nice fat one yesterday morning. Kentucky had Nate and his family for one night. They get 7 I beleave.
I fished with Tony in old Minnesota Saturday morning. I landed 5 fish getting two more fish with the orange chubby darter.
Yesterday Jonny boy moved Colorado for the new group plus I also checked in Mary and Randy for one night in kentucky.
Shell chick and Terry our in old Minnesota. They were up to 3 last night so not so good. There here for one more night, so jonny and ash may move them today.
We have a nice busy week to end the season, so more fishing reports to follow as we finish off the season on a Grand lake that owes us nothing.
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5 days left in the big game ice fishing season. I'm sure if you ask jonny boy he was say it has been a grind with quite a bit of frustration thrown in for good measure. The condition were tough to say the least. Dealing with deep snow and slush made getting to good fishing grounds impossible at times. Having to abandon good fishing due to slush problems, working on the fleet outside most of the time was and has always been a chore to say the least. from broken axels, u joints, door latches, windows not going up, wiper motor, heaters, electrical problems from all the ice built up. Getting stuck was also a huge problem. Every year is different . years ago we did have similar conditions with road ways flooding, then refreezing etc.
The kids have been busy with the turnover of houses this week. They were able to move shell chick and her friend Terrry to another area where they had a little better fishing going home yesterday with there 8. Tony boy our old helper came up with his kids Mason and Treana. they have floated around from montana to florida. The first night they had 3 followed by a couple more. They did stay one more night so we will have to see how they did. The fishing has been slow for sure.
Jake ,Jen and there boy Lakin they had 5 yesterday when they headed in to clean them and have dinner at westwind. Jake sure likes how they cook your fish there.
I'm not sure how the guest in Colorado did as I thought they were here 2 nights not one.
Asley plans on fishing the next 2 nights I think.
With Rick and Bob out in florida last night and there friend Rod and his crew in north Dakota we will have to see how they do on there fresh spots.
Florida is still wide open for the weekend due to a cancelation, They may of gotten spooked by the slow fishing or ice conditions
I did get to wet a line for a bit yesterday in old Minnesota, again fishing with the chubby darter Ii had another pike ,only this time he hit the rattle wheel which sure made it fun to catch.
I"m again headed out to fish the morning in old Minnesota before we head to another appointment for my car accident injuries. I'm still dealing with problems from my concussion, i'm praying and hoping that my broken vertebra are healed up as I expect some therapy will be next. Its time to head out and do a little fishing on this grand lake that owes us nothing.
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Another season of big game fishing has came to a end. Its never been easy for me to call it a season as I really have loved working on the lake. This year because of my car accident I did not get to have that enjoyment. Yes there 's time where you ask yourself wtf. Have cuss words been used? yes. Fighting mother nature can be so brutal. The only way to have a chance against her is to try and plan ahead, which is easier said then done. The equipment takes a beating. Trying to track down parts for trucks that are pushing 40 years old is always a challenge.
This year our son jonny boy had to step up and take over for me. He got a good taste of the planning it takes to keeps things going forward. He had his moments learning the hard way by trial and err. He did a fantastic job finding fish considering how handcuffed we were as to where we could go. There were numerous comments from new and old customers how well he took care of them. For me its always been about customer service, repeat business. To know they have carried that on makes me very proud.
I did get to visit a few customers this year but it was very limited as I just did not feel comfortable visiting.
We did recruit Richie to help us to start the season, Jonny and him sure got along well, which was a blessing.
He had to head home the end of janurary. Our grand daughter Ashley stepped up as she said "Jonny boy took her under his wing". They sure had fun working and fishing together.
She sure enjoyed visiting our customers. She even learned how to pull a house out of its spot and tow one across the lake.
She also has a passion to fish, spending numerous nights on the lake. It is a treat having her here with our great grand son Bentlee. Bentlee hanging out with his mom and great uncle John on the lake makes him a 7 generation here on the shores of upper red lake.
The final weekend of fishing report was not to bad. Phil and his 2 buddies were in montana, they went home with 12 plus missed plenty of fish.
I spent time in old Minnesota before, during and after wayne and pauls visit. I fished hard the last week Jigging a orange chubby darter. I think I landed at least 12 fish. If they did not hit the lure they hit a set line.
Wayne and Paul went home with 6 but should of had more as they also lost and missed fish.
I spent sunday afternoon out there and landed 3 nice fish before packing it in.
Florida had Ed and his wife Pat they did not do that well. Ed said he marked a lot of fish but could not get them to bite.
They did go home with a couple.
Dan was in California with his daughter Anna. They just fished for the day. She did get to catch her first walleye before packing it in.
Rick, his brother Mike and young one Joe? fished in Colorado .The first night on a new spot was not good so Ashley and Jonnny moved them Saturday afternoon. I think they had some better action but they pulled out early sunday morning.
North Dakota was a no show so Ashley and Jonny boy got to spend the last weekend on the lake where they also caught and missed some fish.
All the houses are now getting staged to comer to shore.
Jonnny has plans to look for the mother load of the elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. The plan will be sleds and portables. Our crappie get together is still in the planning. I expect a few of the guys to make it up as the snow melts. I would love to get out there and wet a line, just not sure if I can bounce on a sled, time will tell.
I owe such a huge thank you for all the help I received this year. It was truly amazing. I can never thank people enough for there generosity . Again thank you from the bottom of my heart.
I hope to have a few more fishing reports before the ice melts on such a grand lake
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seebya crappies cookie!!
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Hey cookie, how are things up in your neck of the woods??? :scratch: haven't heard from you in a while.
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Was just thinkin the same thing last week, glenn. :scratch:
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me too...
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hey guys thanks for asking . were just holding down the fort here in waskish. I'm about as heeled as I'm going to get from my stupid car accident.
it put me in a bad spot for sure.
I'll just be brutally honest I struggle with some depression spring and fall.. this year has again been a struggle. Throwing in all this other crap. I worry about the wife working at the store.
All my our equipment took a beating this year so getting every thing back to operational gets me overwhelmed. That then snowballs so I get frustrated, and nothing gets done
Some nicer weather would be nice. Been doing some exercising for the back but have no clue how well I will do on mowers this year. Pretty much have no choice but to suck it up.
Have no idea what he summer will bring with this corona. The phone has been real quiet. There s a couple people up here that are not to fired up about fisherman showing up.
I try not to get over whelmed with all the news so we pick and choose what we want to watch.
I'm really hoping I will be able to enjoy golfing again.
I expect real good fishing this year. Again thanks for asking about me . It means a lot
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Hang in there Cookie. When things green up that may help...
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:happy1: :happy1: thanks for the update. one day at a time, one project at a time. you'll knock it outta da park eventually.
rule #1. take care of yourself and family first!!!!!!!
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Left you a PM Cookie.
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good to hear ys cookie!!! hang in there!! we are rooting for ya!!! and Glenn!!! well said!!!! :happy1: :happy1:
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Talk about dropping the ball.
Wow what a crazy 6 months it has been. :crazy: :crazy: :crazy:
Will start with opener. She was a bit chilly but that did not keep the fishermen away. The public access was the busiest I have ever seen. Since opener the public access has been full or near full every day, with the weekends packed.
All of our guest since opener have had good fishing, the covid did change some plans for some of our guests this year. Our big crew on opener and the week after was quite a bit smaller this year.
I have also not spent much time visiting.
I'll break down the first month as best I can.
It started off with no problem getting your one over 17. under 17 were a little tougher. It then switched with getting your one over was tougher but under 17 were abundant. Then it went to quite a few smaller fish to weed through.
We have caught walleyes any where form 4 feet to 14 feet of water, We have got fish jigging, trolling spinners, trolling cranks. Bobber fishing, and drifting.
Memorial weekend we had family up. Our grandson Mathew fished every trip I took the boat out. He has become quite the fishermen.
Our good friend Jake made it up to look for the elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. He did find one? I did here of over 20 caught memorial weekend so there still a few swimming around out there.
Our good friend Ole came up Saturday so I took him out sunday for a bit. He got a fat 16 and a healthy 19 for a meal, Today he has a friend coming up to do a little more fishing.
We have Brady and his buddy coming up Thursday with no one in our other cabin.
I'm back at the golf course, the back his getting a little worn out but I have been able to swing the clubs a bit. I'm still sensitive to bright lights form the lingering concussion.
Brady and his buddy are coming up Thursday for one cabin. I'm trying to get our good friends Wayne and Paull to come up also as the other cabin is wide open.
The high water has made our lake shore a mushy mess. I still have not mowed down there. We did get some needed rain for the land but did not need it for the lake.
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good to hear ya!! :happy1: :happy1:
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:happy1: :happy1: yeppers…….. good hearing from ya...…...and glad your still moving in the right direction!!!!
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Sounds like life is good Cookie. Good to hear from you.
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I'm never ready for summer to end as I have such a passion for golfing. Going to work everyday knowing I may get to play 9 holes makes it easy to go to work.
We have a long list of replacement and repairs this fall as last winter was one of the toughest on our equipment.
I'm pretty much healed from my car accident last year other then a lingering concussion that has effected my vision just a bit as well as some memory problems, all though hitting 60 may have something to do with that also.
We have a few reservation down in the books. Doo to the virus we will have to remove the pillows in the houses. I'm also stocking up on lysol to kill has many germs as possible. I really do not know what to expect this year so we will be winging it like most of the country.
The summer fishing was astounding this year. It could have a little to do with the high water? I did get to visit Tony the big water dnr speacilist while they were seigning this summer. Again I was amazed at all the little fish they catch when they drag the nets to shore. Even little crappies so we know there still a elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie On such a grand lake.
They also did very well with there test netting so there's still plenty of fish to be caught.
I have to make this short has something came up Stay tuned
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good to hear your report Cookie!!!! and glad to hear yer doing better too!!
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X2. :happy1:
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Yup good to hear from you Cookie.
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his early ice seems to get crazier and crazier every year. If you have followed me for the past 20 years you should know I do not even go on the ice un tell I can take a vehicle of some type. When we do get out we again plan on useing Hillmans access and help work on his road/highway. We do not run our own access.
Buddy Hillman is now allowing 4 wheeler out to the first crack or to about 10 feet of water. 4 wheelers does not mean side by sides. I'm herring 7 to 10 inches of ice. We have always like 18 before the houses go out. That has been pushed to 16 and I have learned by mistake that they can be on 12? A week ago there were areas on the lake with open water the size of 10 football fields. I would expect any of that water that skimmed over may have 2 to 4 inches of ice tops? Plus for all I know there is still pockets of open water as the ice sheet floats around.
Last weekend I saw a few 6 elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies were caught. Some one even got 2. That should be expected considering there were 5,000 fishermen out there with 10,000 lines in the water.
The walleye fishing has been real good for the good fishermen and so so for the rookies from what I here.
The hammer and I did have fresh walleye for dinner Tuesday night. Considering I never wet a line or cleaned the fish. I would say that makes me a excellent fishermen.
All the houses have been cleaned 3 times. we did remove pillows and blankets this year. I did leave the pots pans dishes etc. Jake picked up some extra strength cleaners to deal with the covid.
After sitting in the wings last year do to my car accident it may take me a extra day or two to get back into the groove. Jonny Boy did a excellent job finding fish last year so lets hope that streak continues.
Blue thunder got 800.00 worth of plow work done. She still needs a new radiator even though the one in there is only 4 years old?
The red baron got 1000 worth of tranny repair and now had developed and engine problem. Fires right up 454 tbi chevy. As soon as you put it in gear it boggs, stumbles and dies. It restarts as fast as you turn the key then does the same thing when you put it in gear. Any mechanics want to throw in there 2 cents or come take a look we could work out a trade ? Jeff is going to look at it today so hope we can pinpoint the issue. I did damage the black half tons tranny when the red baron broke down coming home from the tranny shop . We had to tow it.
I have a new gas tank coming for the 3/4 ton red chevy so that can become my new driver. I have not given her a nickname yet as I have not driven her since it arrived last winter.
Looking at the books were pretty booked every weekend through the 20th of jan. Also the whole week after Christmas.
We have mid week houses plus some weekends in feb..
Jake plans on helping a couple days a week this winter. Possible our grand daughter Asley may also help if we can keep her from not fishing and visiting all our customers.
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good report and good to hear from ya cookie!!!
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X2!
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X3!!!!! :happy1:
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Be careful out there Cookie!
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see ya soon cookie
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Most of our guest caught some fish yesterday. max and his buddys in california did well, Ryan and his crew staying in cabin found some fish, they also did well, they have been coming early ice for 6 years.
Never talked to John and Al in old minnesota. Paul and his crew in north dakota fished in front of the river . They also did not do very well. Keagan and his buddy have been staying in florida. They have just had limited success. Brian and his crew in montana were a last minute arrival do to a cancelation. They pounded them. Four young kids, super nice from Minnetonka area . Logan and his 2 buddies did well friday but not as well yesterday/.
So all in all the guys had decent fishing. I did have 6 wheel houses camping down at the shore plus a half a dozen trucks that were here for the day. That worked out nicely so I can offer that again this coming week un tell the ice roads are open. We again will be helping Buddy Hillman on his highway. So all are customers need to meet us there again this winter. They did some remodeling this summer. They have bait, tackle, snacks, bait , beverages etc.
I do have a private camping site , no water, electric this winter on shore if anyone is interested.
Yesterday at the crack of dawn Waskish woke up to a few hundred fishermen in town. After last years winter fiasco it was nice to see everyone busy. I did go up to the gas station a couple times. Sandys gift/antique shop was not busy. She has a lot of great antiques. All you fishermen that are married and your wife lest you go fishing? It would be a great place to swing in and get her a gift. I be leave they still sell wild rice from the area as well.
It was quite busy on the lake yesterday. I have lived here 20 years, been visiting my grandma Olga for 55. I have never seen so many portables on the lake. Not even in the crappie days. I kinda hope there is some fish left for the skid houses. I'm sure we will be ok, as not everyone catches .
Someone said there were traffic jams in waskish,kellier and blackduck. I saw a couple lines but not what I would consider a traffic jam. They also said resorts were not open or full? I'm not the one that uses the word fake news. but that sure seemed like fake news. Don't get me wrong it was busy but by 10 am everyone was fishing with minimal traffic.
Do to this covid we have gotten rid of all the pillows in the houses which was probably a good idea any way. So bring your blnkets, sleeping bags , pillows this year if your renting from us.
. Were still plugging away on the red baron. It is defiantly having fuel delivery issues. Why they have to put the fuel pump in the tank is still beyond me but oh well. It has a new tank from a couple years ago so we will getting the tank dropped once I get my fuel pressure gauge to check the fuel pump. Back when I worked on our cars you undid the fuel line cranked it over if fuel came out it was not the fuel pump. We had Barny the welder fabricator in kellier rebuild blue thunders plow so she could hit the ice anytime.
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https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-lifestyle/traffic-jams-in-northern-minnesota-as-anglers-flock-to-upper-red-lake
cookie made the news!!! they quoted him from facebook!! you rock cookie!!! :happy1: :happy1:
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Atta boy Cookie! :happy1: :happy1:
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What a difference a day makes. Compared to saturday she was a ghost town out there today. With the limited lodging 98 % of the fisherpeople must of headed home? That would of been a tough drive, driving on 46 after dark if you were heading home. We did have Vince and his crew staying in the cabin. They were walkers and spent a good part of the day on the lake getting skunked? yes skunked one perch, one fish lost at the hole. Super nice polite kids though. I felt bad for them but I see they headed out this morning to give it another shot.
Kegan and his buddy head home today. They fished hard everyday. Again walkers, they ate a couple fish. I think they may have there 6 fish to take home? I will find out this morning when we say goodbye.
We also have 3 wheel houses staying down at the lake so I will get to see how they did.
Its getting down to crunch time with prepping for getting the fleet out of the woods. The plan will be after next weekend . I have a fuel pressure gauge on order as we have narrowed down the shuddering, stumbling to the injectors not operating properly.
I also have a another new radiator on order for blue thunder. The phone has quieted down a bit which is fine at this time. As the ice condition get better less call' s about conditions. I spose this week they will be calling about wheel houses going on the lake.
Time to go do some cleaning down on the shores of upper red lake.
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Been a very busy week for me here on the shores of upper red lake. Cleaning all the shacks with new procedure takes quite a bit more time. Once I get her dialed in we should be good to go.
As I get older the back seems to get sorer, faster, which sucks . Last year did not help that's for sure.
The lake itself has been pretty quite after last saturday that's for sure. I expect another crazy saturday morning as I know fishermen that are staying in bemidji as that's the only place they can find to stay.
We have room for parking/camping down on our shore. I thought about putting some signs up, but just putting it out here should be enough.
Jonny boy has been on the lake every day for over a week, be it on sled or wheeler, so he has a good idea where they were biting yesterday . I expect Thursday and Friday to be way busier then last Saturday. After last weekend more fisherpeople are trying to beat the crowds if my phone call is any indication.
I had a chance to rent a skid house that was being built but totally dropped the ball, Sorry Kevin I visioned a chicken coup not a mansion. Oh well you snooze you lose. I have always said things happen for a reason, some times Ii have know idea why though.
Got the new gas tank for the other red 454 truck. Of course the fuel pump is wrong so heading to bemidji in a bit. Since its a 65 mile drive one way my list has gotten longer. Eating away at day lite time. I'm starting to get the itch to fish. The hammer and I spend are nights in old minnesota. So the plan is to sleep out there the first night on the lake. From 20 years of experience I'm thinking that could be the 16th of december.
Its defiantly time to hit it in high gear, Its so funny, every year its the same scenario. When we should of been installing a truck part, I'm to busy working. Then golfing after work. Hind site? You would think a guy would learn. I'm going to ask the hammer to slap me over the head next summer.
Again all our weekends are full tell Jan 20th. We do have plenty of Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday.
Blue thunder has a little miss so I will also be picking up some tune up parts today .The parts guy is going to make a bundle off of me today. My great friend Wayne, nick named wacker, from are autobody days at heritage restoration will be coming up on the 18th. I have a few truck doors and windows that need major adjustments I plan on twisting his arm a bit. We will be playing some cards so the plan is to play him for labor? All in.
Its getting light out, time to hit the road. I will get a fishing report written friday morning as Jonny boy has a few groups out there now.
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This year will be tougher to get to spend much time with our customers.. Due to the covid we Will have to spend less amount of time when checking in on our clients, then coming back to check in @ visit, as we have a way of bringing a little luck when visit for a bit.
Feel free to bring what ever makes you feel safer from the covid. We did get rid of all comforter's on beds and all pillows. I also got rid of cards and cribbage boars. I now have a new system to prep our houses. I tried to eliminate
things that may be handled quite a bit. I have left the dishes ,pots, pans etc. the houses have sinks with dish soap .
When I check in customer's I always request they leave the houses like they were when you checked in. Meaning not a sink full of dirty dishes. I always get a kick out of vacuuming the houses after the guest depart. I always think to my self. I'm vacuuming a fish house. "funnny story marty was prepping a house one year while I was working out side. I thought what the heck could be taking him so long? I go over there, step in the house. The hose for edges had came of and filled the vacuum with water. What a mess"
Jonny boy has been busting his butt getting customers on fishy areas. He sure has a good knack for finding the right spots. To bad they burn out. Never hurts to go back to them spots later in the year though.
We had a full house plus 1/2 dozen wheel houses camping down on our lake shore this weekend.
Jason and his son camped in Montana they had never caught a walleye through the ice so they struggled the first days. Yesterday Johnny boy set them up and they did better with a bonus fish Yes a elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie.
Jeff and his crew in North Dakota did well both days.
Rick and his buddies were in Florida, they have fished here before and had her dialed in.
Solly and his crew? I have no idea how they did. They are staying in Kentucky house. Just did not too visit with them.
Old minnesota was a cancelation so our grand daughter Ashley and her guy Kevin came up to help me out. I know Ashley wanted to fish. Not sure if they were able to get out or not. Ashley did say she was going to go fish with Kirk out of one of bear paws houses.
California was a no show, we did get 2 younger guys last night that were from southern Wisconsin. They had fished all day with not a bite. Red lake was not being kind to them. Sage's auger broke so he had to purchase a new auger. Then his wheeler hit the back of his truck window when loading and smashed it in too a million pieces. I ask Johnny boy to take them under his wings today and help them out.
Chris frolic came up. He also landed a fat elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie, on a grand lake that owes us nothing!
The rest of the campers I have no clue how they have done. I also had 3 trucks that used our access. I know one of them got 1 fish.
This weekend was nothing like last weekend as far as fishpeople so that was a good thing in my book. I would guestment there 1/2 of what we had last weekend.
The big yellow food truck was here again set up a Hillmans so I had to have another one of those burritos, Going to try the tacos next time.. At this rate maybe I should by some stock in it.
Blue thunders radiator needs to come out today . I'm hoping they can fix it.
The torpedo needs to be fired up so we can cover the truck with the parachute .It's amazing how warm it get under there when its set up right.
I'm still waiting on the fuel pressure gage I ordered. In hindsight I should of waited tell I was in Bemidji as I have been there 3 times since I ordered it. More hindsight. I sure use that word a lot. Still have not figured out the problem but I refuse to buy anymore parts un tell we figure out what's the problem. We do know the injector on the right starts to spit and sputter at higher rpms.
The new red truck is fighting me a bit. 1 gas tank wrong, were now up to our 4th fuel pump. Yesterday we got another new tank with pump and straps. The other tank kit now has to be shipped back to a1?
The red baron needs a wiper motor which I have no clue how you get that out .Looks like they designed the truck around it? Also one of the trucks needs another blower motor they sure go out a lot on Chevys'.
Black beauty 's tranny got damaged towing the red baron home. The plan is to drive it tell she quits. Its I decent truck so it will get repaired.
White lighting has a transfer case problem so Johnny boy is looking for a used one.
Wow the fleet seems to be growing.
very busy day here as we have a whole new set of guest coming with 3 houses being used tonight.
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Hang in there Cookie. Thanks for the report.
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Hang in there cookie, if you hang with BOAR I'm sure he's got worse cooties then that. :sleazy: :happy1:
Hope to see ya next Saturday. :happy1:
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your going to be up here in waskish?
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By: Brad Dokken, Grand Forks Herald This was wriiten a few years ago
WASKISH, Minn. — The cloud of white whooshing like a snow-and-ice tornado across the horizon of Upper Red Lake brought to mind the image of the Tasmanian Devil cartoon character.
Or maybe Pig-Pen, the unkempt kid of “Peanuts” comic strip fame who’s perennially surrounded by a cloud of dust.
They’re common sights in winter on Upper Red, these white clouds. But here on the northern shore of Minnesota’s largest inland lake, the whirling walls of snow and ice usually mean one thing:
There’s a Hillman or a Petrowske nearby.
Driving a plow truck.
It could be Buddy Hillman, 43, whose family has owned the Hillman’s bait shop and general store in Waskish since the early 1940s. Or Kelly Petrowske, 54, whose grandfather homesteaded on the north shore of Upper Red in 1921 and who has made his living on or along the big lake most of his life. Or Petrowske’s son, Jonny, 35, who left a sales job in the Twin Cities a few years back to come home to Upper Red.
They’re not the only ones plowing roads on the lake, this trio, but few have been at the game longer.
And no one, Kelly Petrowske says, takes their plowing more seriously than Buddy Hillman, the unofficial captain of this team who approaches making an ice road the way an artist might approach a canvas.
“This is his passion,” Petrowske said. “He just loves it. Michelangelo painted a ceiling — Buddy makes ice fishing roads.”
Hillman highway
The Sistine Chapel, in this case, is an ice road that begins just across state Highway 72 from the Hillman Store in Waskish and continues west about nine miles to the boundary of the Red Lake Indian Reservation.
The ice road’s in the same place every winter, and it’s every bit as wide as a two-lane highway. If it’s not snowing or blowing too hard, Hillman says, you can see the light from the store seven miles out on the lake.
Besides plowing ice roads and charging a $10 daily fee for access, Hillman rents 13 “sleeper” ice houses to anglers who come mostly for walleyes; the Petrowskes rent eight of the overnight houses. In that sense, they’re competitors. But when it comes to plowing, they’re partners who work together to maintain some 25 miles of ice roads that allow anglers to reach some of the most remote spots on Upper Red’s north shore.
Another operator who rents houses along the north shore also helps out with the plowing.
“We’ve got a lot of roads, so without them guys, it would be tough,” Hillman said.
Ice time
As he is every day throughout the winter, Hillman’s on the ice clearing snow from the edges of the road on this January afternoon. His mode of transport is a rusty 1988 Ford F-350 diesel with an imposing-looking V-plow mounted to the front.
What it lacks in looks, the old
1-ton truck makes up for in power. Besides, Hillman says, an old truck is easier to fix. That’s a plus, because plowing an ice road is hard on equipment. Trucks break down. Sometimes, they even break through the ice. Hillman has a fleet of four V-plows and a straight blade and “a bunch of others” he keeps around for parts, and most are 1984 or older.
“Everybody gives me (grief) about these old trucks, but they’re the only ones that hold up,” he said.
Kelly Petrowske, who drives a Dodge Ram 2500 diesel that’s considerably newer than any of Hillman’s trucks, can’t help but chuckle when he talks about the aging fleet.
“Buddy does more with nothing than anyone I’ve ever seen,” Petrowske said. “He plowed two years in a truck that didn’t have a floor.”
Hillman’s old F-350 has a floor but an electric fan mounted in the cab appears to be the closest thing it has to a defroster. Rumbling across the lake on some sixth sense that allows him to see through a windshield that’s mostly covered with snow and slush, Hillman gives a visitor a crash course (maybe “quick course” would be a better phrase) on the finer points of building an ice road.
There’s more to it, he says, than plowing a long road out on the lake and gradually making it wider. Instead, Hillman says, he starts by plowing a road its full width — at least 150 feet — and gradually making it longer.
All of the snow goes to one side because the weight causes snow banks to pressure the ice and sink, which in turn makes the road more prone to flooding. Keeping the snow bank on one side also makes it easier for anglers to get off the road and access fishing spots away from the plowing.
It’s slow going, Hillman said, and it often takes him a full day to make a single mile of road.
“Last year, I kept track, and it took me 132 miles to make one mile of road,” Hillman said.
Lots of changes
There’ve been a lot of changes on Upper Red since the Hillmans and Petrowskes started plowing roads on the lake more than 30 years ago. Walleye populations crashed in the mid-1990s, and the fishermen quit coming.
Waskish turned into a ghost town, and for several years, there were no ice roads. Hillman made ends meet by laying flooring in the Twin Cities.
Then, about 10 years ago, a small group of local anglers hit the ice fishing equivalent of the mother lode — a huge population of slab crappies that had filled the void after the walleye collapse. Almost overnight, Waskish went from bust to boom and anglers — and ice fishing roads — were everywhere.
The crappie boom has run its course, but the walleyes are back. There’s a lot less traffic today than there was during the height of the boom, but anglers visiting Upper Red don’t lack for access options.
Not even Lake of the Woods, which has about a half-dozen plowed roads, offers as many access choices as Upper Red.
“I bet there are over 15 roads on the lake now,” Hillman said, “12 for sure.”
Job hazards
Hillman says he’s had trucks break through the ice nine times, but only once did he get wet — in January 2006, when he got a quick ride all the way to the bottom of the lake in 14 feet of water.
“It was just like a bunch of ice cubes,” Hillman said. “Sometimes, it’s just bad ice. It gets your attention.”
Petrowske’s wife, Patsy, happened to be driving on the lake not far from Hillman at the time.
“She came running up, and Buddy popped right up out of the hole,” Kelly Petrowske recalls with a laugh. “She asked him, ‘Where’s your truck?’”
With the help of Petrowske and some others, Hillman got the sunken truck out of the lake and even got it running again.
Later that winter, Hillman came out one morning to find a snorkel mounted to his truck along with two magnetic signs reading, “Buddy’s Underwater Crappie Tours.”
Petrowske admits he might have had something to do with that.
Despite the occasional misadventure and practical joke, Hillman admits there’s nothing he likes more than making a good ice road. Even if it means long days and late-night forays onto the ice to rescue a fisherman who’s gotten lost on the lake or broken down.
The job, he says, certainly beats laying flooring and living in the Twin Cities.
“I love it,” he said. “It isn’t always a money maker, I can tell you that for sure.”
Hillman pauses several seconds when asked about the attraction.
“I don’t know,” he says. “It’s not a bad office.”
For more information:
Hillman’s Store: (218) 647-8504.
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Still a good read! :happy1: That must have been 15 -18 years ago if I am remembering correctly. :scratch:
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The season is underway as tonight will have our first guest staying on the lake.
A few hiccups for sure. That's nothing new though. its expected. I call it putting out fires. We still do not have the red baron up and running. if my fuel pressure gage does not come today I will purchase one tomorrow,
I got the radiator repaired on blue thunder . there was no guarantee , she still has a leak but nothing like it was. I will have to baby her un tell i can find a new one. The new one ii did pick up was wrong. I saw that coming, so I will have to find a new one on the internet.
I'm not sure what Buddy Hillman will be letting on the lake this weekend but I can bet it will not be 3/4 ton trucks. That cold snap we had helped. Tonight they are saying single digits so that's good.
The big problem is the fisherpeople think they can go any ware they want?
I have heard of some fish caught so we will have to see how the weekend pans out. I know that Pat and his buddy in the cabin did real well fishing south of here. Neil and his son staying down on shore hooked up with them so they also caught some fish as the first day they struggled.
Today is going to be real busy for us . Wish us luck. a little prayer sure does not hurt.
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good luck and stay safe!!!
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:happy1: X 2!!
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Same here Cookie. Good luck and stay safe.
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Our first weekend on the ice was a little slow for us. Chris in North dakota with his boys had some good action the first 16 hours then she just fizzled out.
Dan and Mel had florida for the weekend . They only managed to get 4 keepers. They did have a grand time on a grand lake and will be back tomorrow for a Christmas vacation.
Montana had another customer that has been coming for years . Leroy his son Scott and Scotts daughter Nataly. They only managed a couple fish at best.
California had Joe and his family Kathy,Lucy and Izec? They all ready made plans for next year same dates. Even though the fishing was slow they did enjoy there stay.
Wayne came for old minnesota. We played some cards, watched some movies. Wayne is a dear friend of mine that we worked together in the auto body trade. He came in saturday and sunday to help with some truck windows plus a door on the red baron.. It will make it a little easier to go on the lake with window that are closed.. he lost 3 fish and only landed two.
We moved Larry and Dan yesterday . They have been fishing in kentucky our ice castle. They have gotten a few fish but nothing to brag about.
It sure would of been nice to say limits were caught?
Jonny boy and I got all the houses moved into a new area. There spread out so we will see what happens.
Brian and Stacy checked into montana yesterday. They have also been coming up for years. We also checked in Dan and his buddy Jerry into florida. Later today we will see if they had any action.
Were back to square one with the red baron as we have good fuel pressure. Sure would be nice to figure out the problem.
I 'm going to pick up a timing light today, I'm not even sure when was the last time I used a timing light. I would guess over 20 years.
Our ice castle Kentucky opened up for this coming weekend 24th 25th 26th?
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Hey cookie, did a guy from IDO make any reservations for a house on the 28th or 29th??
We have tentative plans to fish red in the 29th??? Kind of a retired guys gtg.
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I put Cookie's report on the front page. Those guys in the photo's are my great nephew's and my nephew. They wanted to go fishing for my nephew's birthday, so I sent them Cookie's way. :azn:
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thats cool! cookies houses arebthe best!!
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thanks that was a nice surprise.
Not sure about reservation glen any idea the name?
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thanks that was a nice surprise.
Not sure about reservation glen any idea the name?
goes by bellentine on IDO!!!!! with the current forecast i'm not sure i'll be doing that now. :scratch: being retired and not really having a schedule i'm not dealing with below 0 temps when it gets 10 below anymore up there. :tut:
oh yea i agree with boar, cookies houses are great!!! :happy1: :happy1:
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Are there any reports of vehicles with single axel fishhouses being allowed to head out on the lake?? I have a buddy thinking about heading up mid next week.
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erry Christmas and Happy new year.
Been a very busy 2 weeks here on the shores of upper red lake. Every year the week between Christmas and new year its the same thing, With wheel houses becoming so popular they started rolling in after Christmas. Yesterday trying to access to the lake at hillmanwa's was crazy. A gentleman in front of me walked down to the lake to stop the wheel houses and vehicles coming off so the few trying to get on the lake could go. Guess they could of used a traffic cop for a bit. I would also say that 70 percent of the fisher people went to the end of the road?
Jonny boy, I. Plus Jake has been up a couple times have been moving houses ,replacing radiators, spark plugs, etc. If it has a motor we have had to fiddle with them. Every thing always seems to be fine in the summer and fall, but has soon as the temps drop and the wind howls, we run into problems. Its always been a grind fighting mother nature . This year the lake broke up and refroze numerous times causing some very rough bumpy conditions for the fleet of vehicles and houses. Lot of areas for the fishy's to hide.
The fishing has been a little tough finding the under 17s. We have seen numerous elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies on the internet which should be expected when there is that many lines in the water.
Jonny boy has found his nitch pointing fishermen in the right direction. On the other hand I'm answering the phones while we try to work during the day. I'm also still trying to find my groove, having last winter off kinda threw me through a loop. Also with the covid, visiting with our customers and hanging out a bit has been limited.
The houses have seen quite a few fish over 17, fat and healthy. This lake sure has a great forage base. I have not seem a skinny looking fish. Also numerous fish over 21. I said years ago the fish grow fast here then get stunted I guess I can eat my words now. The houses have also seen a lot of smaller pike? That may be where we had been fishing as it was a newer area we had been working.
With some houses rented during the week we get a little break of having every thing all most rented every day.
Looking at the books we have 3 houses open the last weekend of fishing 2 houses feb 19 20th, 1 house this coming weekend florida had to cancel due to the covid.. We have had cancellation due to covid . I expect we will have a few more. California is open feb 12 13, 19 20,
I also expect we will be making adjustments in are rates.
The red baron is in a shop in black duck. I broke down trying to figure out why she will not run right so I bit the bullitt figuring they could figure it out. The way that's going that may of been a bone head move.
The big red 3/4 ton busted the radiator do to the bumpy lake. We have decided to have a mount built on her so the v plow can have a back up.
I'm hoping the season can start going a little smoother as we push out to deeper water on this" Grand Lake That Owes Us Nothing"
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Cookie is that pic of the crappie here your pic? recent? back during the giant crappie boom when we had 15 crappie limits,one limit of 14"-15" crappies would fill a 5 gallon bucket with the tails curled up but not worth beans as table fare at least for me,crappies were so thick once fillet out pan frying they were mushy and mudding tasting,some folks claimed deep frying was the answer but never tried it,not to mention don't have a deep fryer then or now.Smoke they were good tho.
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY COOKIE!!! HANG TOUGH!!
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I hate to bring up mother nature but she has been kind to us the last couple days.. working on a few repairs on our fleet is much easier when the sun is shining , and the temps are in the 30s . Jonny found the bad spot in blue thunders lite switch, I mentioned "I think its in the switch". He took a gander and sure enough. !0 minutes later I had on two new connections. Actually it took me a little longer not wearing my cheater glasses the first time I crimped the wrong end.
Jonny boy pulled the broken radiator out of the 3/4 ton beast. Dragging the road being so bumpy from the way the lake froze was just to much for a plastic radiator, as she had broken last thursday. Of course the new used one came and was not right. Improvising Jonny boy was able to bvpass the oil cooler for now. The red baron is still in the shop . The manager told me they were going to take it out for a test drive and both u bolts broke? Of course its not like you can go down to the parts store and pick up a new set for a 34 year old truck. Last years lake conditions sure took a toll on our fleet of houses and vehicles'. Its never been easy ,challenging yes, fun yes, has more then one curse word been said? "nope" many many curse words and been screamed. Throwing the radiator into the aluminum scrap. I noticed radiators do not last. I think there is about 20 in the pile. There all going to the scrap yard this coming spring.
Jake rolled in last night with the boys to work and scout/fish. Jonny went out monday and tracked down a elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie which of course put a fire under Jake. He loves chasing them true trophy fish. He started guiding full time for all species of fish this past fall. His specialty is Musky, Sturgen, crappies and the bottom feeding walleye. He also makes some very very impressive musky baits. There pieces of art to me. Check them out.
JENI BOU BAITS. His guide service is On the pond outdoors. Mention my name and you might get a discount might.
Enough of that heres the latest fishing report from our fleet. over the last few days.
Old minnesota has had my brother and shannon . We figured they landed over 20 walleyes a couple jumbo perch a small pike or two over the last few days, I even got to not only wet a line but land a fish or two. we had a fish fry a couple nights ago and are shooting for another before they head back to Chicago. The yuks/laughs have been on going as he is quite funny and witty, They say Laughing make you younger and I think I may of gained a year or two back. Might even been a tear or two.
Florida had Dave, Scott, Robin and ? Super nice people. They were having a grand time on a grand lake. Jonny boy hung out with them for a bit sunday night. They had a big fish fry plus had 5 in there bucket yesterday morning.
Northh dakota had joel kelly and there son ar? They also landed some fish but had better luck on the tip ups out in front of the picture window. Again super nice people.
Elliot and his crew are in kentucky. Elliot had been here before. They were not doing that well but having a blast ., We moved them yesterday so we will see how they did later today when we say good bye. I know jonny boy had gone over with his electronics to try and help them land more then a couple of fish. I stopped by the first morning they had two lines in when they could of had 7?
Today the hammer and I have been married 43 years , I sure landed a keeper when I met her. Going down those stairs it was Love at first site. I have always said I love you. I think everyday. Thats a lot of I love you's 365 day time 43 years plus some times more then once.
It should or could be a grand day, on a grand lake that owes us nothing
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congrats coolie and Hammer on 43 years!!!! :happy1:
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Great report! And congrats on the 43 years Cookie!!! :happy1:
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Congrats Cookie!
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Congrats Cookie!
X 4
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Congrats Cookie!
X 4
X5......... :happy1: :happy1:
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Going to play the good news bad news game this morning. The Good news. The shop says red baron is running. Bad news the bill from trying different parts. I 'm kinda funny , my whole car owning life I become attached to my vehicle's.. My dad owned car lots. Of all the cars I have owned I've treated them like a women. Every single one has been referred to as her or she. I think. Maybe not the plow trucks but I think if a guy looks back over the years on my blogs they say she. The plan is to go test drive it "Then Get Her Home"
Bad news had a no show last night. Out 3 nights rental on florida. Same house got canceled last week due to covid crap.
I Plan on calling the missing customer un tell his answers his phone.
Since I started this business I have taken the attitude that things happen for a reason. Some time its hard to figure out why. Example that really jumps out is crashing my car last year when I dosed off. Studying the crash site the car should of came to a dead stop. But buy some miracle. It launched straight in the air.. David was going to go get it that next morning. Figuring out the accident seen. He said my car probably went 30 feet up in the air before landing on all four facing all most facing the direction I went into the ditch.
So for some reason florida does not want to be rented this weekend? I have always been a take it easy kind of person. Growing up in the late 60s, 70s it was peace and love.
Cousin Pete my mentor up here when I fell into this business. He taught me so much . Try not to be in hurry was a big thing. Slow and steady. One year I dropped blue thunder 1 into a crack on the right side. .That year the lake had all these cracks. Buddy Hillman had police tape all over the place out there. Many vehicle's did the same thing that year. I would bet 8 of 10 got damaged yanking them out. Mostly Tie rod ends.
With Pete's knowledge we got it out in the dark with no damage. It was not easy either.
The good news we have caught some fish in a fishy area. Doing what's been nick named the cookie shuffle. The biggest key is to find another area too "RUIN" before the bite peters out. Jonny boy spent some time scouting a few spots while Jake and I moved old minnesota, north Caroline to a new area.
Having just blue thunder I can not take any chances of damaging anything. With chunks of ice out there every ware. I again need to you caution first. The winds after that last big blow packed the snow drifts, then all the Christmas traffic has also created frozen ruts to deal with.. never a dull moment here on the shores of such a grand lake.
My brother Warren was here for a week. He installed a new toilet in the grey house, which was huge . He fished old minnesota all week landing well over 20 fish.. with us never moving the house.
My old helper Tony came up with his 2 kids. They also caught some fish. Tony did do some run gunning type of fishing which helped them go home with there limits.
Kentucky with Dawson and Mason landed a big pike. at some point yesterday. which may explain the lack of walleye in that spot.
Jake also brought his kids up to fish while he helped. He also was able to go to some spots and fish tip ups with great success. Plus some quality time with the kids away from there lap tops/video games. The other big high lite for him was chasing down and catching a lost dog. He chased the poor thing around with his truck and on foot, dressed in ice fishing close including boots.
The last bad news, good news. I injured my shoulder wednesday , by yesterday after moving and cleaning old minnesota and north carolina I was in severe pain the worst I have ever experienced. The dr at the emergency room recommend I see a ortho as the ex rays were negative. Time for a team meeting have a nice day cookie
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Hope the shoulder heals up Cookie.
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no show is wrong and good luck with your shoulder cookie!!!
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no show is wrong and good luck with your shoulder cookie!!!
yea ya would of thunk a simple phone call would of been appropriate! :pouty:
hope that shoulder heals bud!!!!!!!! that happened carrying boar again didnt it!!!!! :rotflmao: :rotflmao:
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Hope it's not a rotator cuff Cookie. Be careful!
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Cookie is that pic of the crappie here your pic? recent? back during the giant crappie boom when we had 15 crappie limits,one limit of 14"-15" crappies would fill a 5 gallon bucket with the tails curled up but not worth beans as table fare at least for me,crappies were so thick once fillet out pan frying they were mushy and mudding tasting,some folks claimed deep frying was the answer but never tried it,not to mention don't have a deep fryer then or now.Smoke they were good tho.
that pic was taken just recently.
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esterday was a up and down day. The red baron came home, hind site when he unloaded her off the flat bed I should of had him take black beauty to the tranny shop.. would of saved a 100 bucks.
I over did it yesterday with the sore shoulder and paid the price last night. The plan today is to throw orders as we have 3 houses to reset by 2 pm.
I think I can clean and vacuum but I'm going to really focus on not aggravating what ever is damaged.
I'm going to ignore how long, and how red baron was repaired and just be thankful she is home.
I was able to take her on the lake yesterday with out the plow Tough ride as the road is quite bumpy this year do to how the lake kept breaking up and then refreezing. One year she froze like glass. I could of ice skated off our property all the way to the north shore. This year it could not be more opposite. Every year I hope that it will freeze like that again. Maybe next year I will pray more. Might even do a 'freeze like glass' rain dance.
Since jonny boy was staying on the lake last night in our canceled the day after they were spose to be here Florida house. I skipped making the rounds with the bad arm.
We did make a big, not so big move . Abandoning the area we were working.
Curtis and his 2 buddies staying in north Dakota hammered the fish Friday night from 11pm tell 3am. Curtis said the bigger the shiner the better. He booked another trip in a coupled weeks with a different group. I explained to him it does not mean it will be like that again next trip.
I can not guarantee the fish are going to swim under our houses then bite your presentation. I can put them in what we feel as fishy areas. I can do my best to have them on a fresh spot but that's not always a guarantee either.
Mother nature can throw a wrench in things as well as mechanical problems .
California is our furthest house out. Bob And Tiff. They had 5 eaters on the ice and had some decent action on there tip ups. The tip ups were set up for a walleye presentation.
Bob, Shawna there 2 friends Zack, Katie? were in old minnesota. They also have been running tip ups outside of the house. When I stopped in they were having a grand time on a grand lake They had 5 in there bucket with Shawna having the lead with a fat 19 1/2 inch walleye. I think they said they were going to have a fish fry last night.
When I was visiting we determined this was there 11th year. I have said it before, Ben proposed to Shawna in old minnesota all those years ago. Next trip they bring the rug rats.
Kentucky plus Montana were set up for two family's with kids. I checked in Jake and Katie with there two young ones.
While Jonny boy checked in Brad , his wife there kids. Being I never went back out to visit not sure how they have done yet. There here again tonight so we will see how they did later.
Kyle came late for north carolina. He sent a pic of a couple fish so that was a good sign.
Today the plans is to prep, clean, move 3 houses that are re rented., I also planned on putting the v plow on, being one armed, with out help, there is know way I could put that baby on.
The sky is kicking over gotta go
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I saw this so I'm sharing it as it is funny..
THE FISHING IS SO BAD. EVEN THE LIARS DID NOT CATCH ANYTHING.
Any way the fishing has been better then bad. Kentucky and montana had two very nice family's. Jake, Katie, kids Sophia, Otto. Brad, Beth, Kids Brady darn can not remember the little girls name. Sunday eve into the morning they had a hoot catching more then a few over night. The night bite has been the ticket for us most of the season. 1am to 3am.
there is also a morning bite as the sky starts to kick over. Then throw in the bewitching hour. they had a nice fish fry and took fish home. I was checking in jeff . The kids were out playing in the distance, Brady's dad threw a football. He dove head first making a spectacular catch, Jeff saw it to as we were looking out the picture window. Reminded me of all the times Jonny boy and I played football with Kyan and his dad Larry. Kyan is I think 1 day apart from Jonny boy in age. Larry was my brother inlaw.
North dakota had a second night of crazy fishing? Again shiners were there goo to bait.
Jeff ,Jessi have been in old minnesota for two nights. They had ate a fish or two ? They also had one on the ice, plus jeff said he missed more then a few. Jessi also lost one off a rattle wheel.
Chad and his 2 buddies spent there second night in california . They had some action "I think they had 5 saved as of yesterday"
Joe and his daughter Page are in north dakota. They have had action also again after or just before dark.
They also have caught some fish. My short term memories is interfering with me by the way.
I know every one has caught a fish or two the last 48 hours.
Jonny boy and Dan the carpet man came to shore to get the v plow on red baron.
I was able to take her on the lake yesterday. She seemed to be running real well. I made the morning rounds plus made a few short cuts in our road system. It kinda funny but I do not lay things out like a neighbor hood. There is a reason I do this ?
I also got to slowly, slowly punch threw some of all the broken ice chunks. I saw a few spots just south of us that looked very very fishy.
Jonny boy and Dan got busy moving montana as I gave the ice castle a good cleaning. "Including my phone". As I was walking in I reached for my phone in my inside pocket. As I brought it out it caught the sling I'm wearing. Just like a free throw" nothing but ice hole". I dove as if I was sliding into third base head first. I guess all those years of coaching baseball payed off. With only one arm I somehow trapped it on the side of the ice hole where it got away, I got it again as I gave it the death grip. I rolled away from the hole phone in hand. I quickly got the cover off it, shook any water out of orifices' then set the edge of it on the defrost in red baron.
Wow talk about some excitement for me. This was all before noon.
I had a meeting around 1 so as I headed in so proud driving my red baron. Just after the bridge some bumps caused the red baron to blow a fuse and just stop running. Jonny boy said it also happened a few time last year, we think it has a flopping wire some where above the spare gas tank.
Its never easy, challenging YA? Fun! Most of the time. Stressful !ya ya! all most every single day plan a can become plan b c d e f g h etc....
Off to say good bye to our guest today, then the plan is to work on the hillmans highway as much a possible without destroying all we have 'On a Grand Lake That Owes Us Nothing'
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nother crazy busy busy week has gone by. 5 inches of wet snow threw a monkey wrench in things, but as we all know that's nothing new on such a grand lake.
As the snow was tapering off I was asked to clean up the first mile after the bridge. I would say it is the bumpiest section. The red baron was as ready as we could get.. After talking to my good friend Tom about how to find the short, I relayed what Tom told me to Jonny boy who found the loose wire causing the truck to quit running.
My plan A was back to my mentor cousin Pete "slow and steady".
Around 3 hours of back and forth moving snow to the south. I headed out to old minnesota. Buddy Hillmans was plowing the next 3 miles . At 4 times the speed of me. As I cleaned up the side road going to old minnesota I had too stop and drop off a few things for Wayne and Paul who would be arriving shortly. when I jumped back in to the red baron I had no heat. I quickly shut her down.
Blue thunder has been sleeping on the lake most of the season . I fired her up, Then headed back to the main road cleaning up our secondary road in the process. While I waited for the guys I continued to clean up around the end of the road as buddy Hillman was finishing the 3 or so miles he had knock out.
When Wayne and Paul showed up I got them checked in. I fired up red baron and topped her off with lake water, I had some heat again so I limped her home. Today Jonny boy will be pulling the radiator. As another one bites the dust.
We had guest all week . With Jake rolling in with the boys to help cleaning, moving, repairing then a little fishing to boot. Not only did Jake enjoy another week fishing. He also got his boys Gabrial and Lakken working side by side with him. There great boys that are learning about hard work, but also fun rewarding work in the great outdoors. The future is in good hands.
Brad Turk came up with his daughter Riley and her friend. Brad was so generous to bring me one of his late fathers Bill Turk a oil painting for north dakota. The painting will spend the next twenty or so years hanging on a wall in north dakota 2 years ago they were able to fish with us spending two nites in north dakota.
I always want our guest to catch fish , some I really want great fishing. That was not the case this trip. Even in a new area on a new spot that miles marker was horrible . Making that side road for north dakota, minnesota and north carolina did not pan out.
Sarah, Carl, Kenny and Terry were here again for they think 6 year. Then Sarah's nephew was also here again Jake Holly Katie Jeromy. Florida had there best action the second afternoon into the evening where they had numerous bites keeping 10 in there 5 hour flurry. meanwhile Jake seemed to be all landing all the fish in north dakota, Jake landed 2 elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies. plus had his 3 walleyes. Katie did get a 20 incher I be leave.
Jake also released a few fish as he did not want to party fish. Party yes party fish no.
There such a great group to have every year. They always give me some home made breakfast burritos. Plus this year they had 4 for Jonny boy. I cooked two in the oven in old minnesota when I was moving it yesterday. Best breakfast burrito I ever had. Thanks again. Sarah also saved me a french dip that I whoof ed down last night when I came back off the lake at 10. 14 hour day yesterday had me worn out.
Jonny told Alex and his crew in kentucky that if they found better fishing we would move them. About 2pm saturday the phone rang.. we were moving. They ended up catching 10 after the move plus 6 when they found the spot.
Brett and his son Zack were in montana where they took home 5 plus caught a few others.
Jarrod his brother and friend were in california , They took home 7 . They were tickled pink. super nice polite younger guys. They have another trip coming up for the same house.
Yesterday we moved montana, north dakota ,old minnesota then checked in 3 more crews Hope they did well over the last 16 hours. I did stop at minnesota last night with Steve and his dad Jerry. It started off slow .They had caught a small pike and may of lost a walleye at the hole.
I was beat last night so I skipped kentuckys visit as well as north dakota last night.
Well off to say goodbye to the Iowa crew then clean, prep, move florida and montana to new grounds.
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A lot has changed here on the shores/lake of upper red lake.
Mother nature gave us a wake up call yesterday with high winds . I can only imagine what a mess it may be around the houses this morning. Jonny boy spent a big chunk of last night dragging buddy hillmans road trying to get rid of drift letting the wind carry it away. There road has not been kind to my radiators this year taking out both 454 chevs. We also had to replace blue thunders.
We have had guests all week with some success. I did get to spend a little time with some. The new crew of Mike and his buddies were such nice guys. I did get to spend a 1/2 hour or so playing some dice with them there last nighty. They had some fish to take home and also ate a few.
Tim ,Dan Pete and possibly Mike were here the 4rth year in a row. They also ate some fish with the first night be there best fishing. They ask about the old guy? Our friend Ole. They had met him 4 years ago and got a kick out of visiting with him that year hering about his life in alaska
Old minnesota had Steve and jerry also repeat customers. They drew the short straw. Even having the house on a fresh spot did not help. They did have better action the second night with the rattle wheels but had a hard time getting them. Again super nice son and dad. They have stayed with us before and even though the fishing could of been better they plan on coming back next year.
Florida had Jason and his Gal I did not get to visit them . Ii think they got 7 the first night. plus a few more there second night.
Les and Rita checked into montana. They also have stayed with us before. They did a alaska road trip driving over 10,000 miles. Rita teased me with a jarred can of smoked salmon. They had there 2 overs and one just under 17 .
We also had Jordan roll in. He had stayed with us many years ago. It was great seeing him. They were a hand full with the crew of 4 kids and 4 adults plus 2 pit bulls. I was not comfortable with the dogs so my visiting was limited.
The sky is kicking over so its time to get moving. Jake is also here helping. Today will be busy as we reset all the house's for the weekend after we dig everyone out.
Last night we also had a full house with Glen and his girl coming for one night. Plus Dominic here his second night We also had a couple I've never met staying one night Casey and Matt.
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The winds did play a little havoc but all in all not bad.. Jonny boy pulled hillmans drag for 5 hours at least letting the winds take the snow off the main road. Our off shoot road had some drifting but with the red baron re routing was easier then moving all the snow in certain spots.
We said good bye to glen. He makes it up a couple times a year. He is right up there with being a better fisherpeople then most and is right up there with greek. He never sets he rod down. He is constantly jigging a purple northland buckshot, totally focused on the vexlar. I'm happy to report he went home with his 3 and his gals 3.
Matt and Casey spent one night. They only managed 2 keepers but said they want to bring the kids next year,
Domminick and his buddy also had a grand time on a grand lake. They left old minnesota in really nice shape which is much apricated . They also had some action just not sure how many they took home. They did eat a couple.
The rest of the day was spent plowing new trails, cleaning, moving, blocking, banking, augering..
Yesterday Jonny boy and I headed out to button up the houses, getting them ready for our guest.
Every thing went well un tell our last guest were on the lake. When the red baron sputtered then quit running. Hitting the key there was nothing there. I had to jump in friday morning? After checking in Jim and Grace Jonny boy towed me home. It seems one of the 2 batteries took a crap . We got her running by jumping the good batterie. I have a new batterie to throw in this morning so hopefully that cure the issue.
We were also able to accommodate a few wheel houses down by us, plowing them there own little fishy areas.
Time to tackle that battery as we say good bye to mike and mark in north dakota. Then plow and pick a new fishy spot for Randy and his crew, On a Grand Lake that Owes Us Nothing.
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:happy1: :happy1: sure enjoy your reports cookie!!!!!! :happy1:
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Where does the time go. I have noticed as you get older time flies buy quicker?
The red baron is in the driveway warming up, with a new battery, a new alternator, a new wiper motor.
I'm again looking forward to taking her on the lake as we keep moving houses on to fishy areas for us and our guest.
We had good fishing in my book s last weekend.
I have been plowing and setting up wheel houses for the past few years to try and help recruit some of the expenses that occur to the fleet. We are always willing to accommodate a few wheel houses. You can have the peace of mind knowing you will be able to safely get off the main roads. I or Jonny boy may even swing buy to check on you through out your fishing adventure. We even can pick up extra supply's for you while were on shore. For me it has and always will be customer service.
Now for the past weekends fishing report. I set rod up inn his ice castle. he was tickled pink landing numerous fish . They went home with 11 plus a elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie.
Dan and Mel also showed up. We had hem over for dinner saturday night. I made smothered burrito's. So So good. One year I made them in old minnesota for Bob and Jacky. I put the pot of sauce on the stove and gave them directions to stir occasinaly as we did not want the sauce sticking to the bottom. That evening The hammer and brought the rest of the fixing out to the shack. Boy did we laugh. Jacky had Bob and his buddy stirring the sauce all day. The pork was shredded from stirring so much. They were calling her the stir natzi as she rode them all day.
We had Mark and Mike in north dakota. They ate a fat 18 incher saturday morning for breakfast. saturday night Mike sent me a pic of a trophy he caught. mid 20s ii was wrong when I said we would never see trophy walleyes. Mike and Mark were old school buddies from ill. They had a grand time on a grand lake.
Jim and Grace were in old minnesota. They took home there six plus enjoyed there stay tremendously. Grace teaches pre schoolers. She said she was tickled pink to have her kids back in class.
Florida had Dan and keith They also had fish for dinner plus I think they took home 5.
california had Fred and his gal Mel plus there dog. They caught a few fish. They come back in a couple weeks with another couple in kentucky.
Kentucky canceled on us the last minute. We were able to rent friday night for one night. Kyle rolled in from grand rapids with his wife and daughter. When I came back later that night they had 2 more adults and 3 grands kids come up. They also took home some fish saying they will also be back.
We also set up darrin up sunday evening in his wheel house. They left with there 6 monday morning.
Montana had Nick and his crew, they also had our cabin here on land. They caught a few fish but not sure how many.
The hammer and I spent a few hours in old minnesota last night after another cancelation? I'm going to have to change up our policy. I have had more cancelation this year then the last 10 years combined? I landed a nice fat 18incher for supper out there tonight. The hammer is out of practice as she lost a nice fish ,landed a small scuffit. She lost more then a few minnows. She might of even swore? After making us a giant chef salad I had the pleasure of taking a nap while she watched one of her favorite movies Dirty dancing. Tonight we will be having dinner on the chana enjoying the movie jersey boys.
North dakota canceled for the weekend as well as florida and old minnesota. 18 years I have never had 3 houses all cancel the same weekend?
Time to hit the lake. I just talked to Ryan they were in florida the last 2 nights, he said they caught 20 fish and are taking home 12 Quality fish. The 2 young girls each got to catch there first walleyes. That's just another reason its a grand lake that owes us nothing. Plus another elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie was caught last night.
Jonny boy was making the rounds this morning to see how Don's crew did over night in north dakota as well as Scott in montana. I have high hopes as again both house's were on fresh spots
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We were able to fill one of the 3 houses that got canceled this week.
The hammer and I will be fishing old minnesota again to night. Jonny boy his gal Heather will be staying out in montana if it does not get a customer in it tonight.
North Dakota got snatched up buy Danny and his family. Danny is a electrician so there could be some bartering as were planning on building a shop for the fleet. I hope it all pans out, only time will tell.
I'm headed out in a bit to spend some more quality time in old minnesota. I spent the bewitching hour out there last night. I had 3 rattle wheels go off but nothing there. Ii did manage to get a smaller walleye 13 incher on the chubby darter using the vexlar. he inhaled the lure.
Jonny boy was using north carolina as our scouting house. Sounds like he hit the mother load.
WE set up Jim in his wheel house wednesday. He landed a bigger pike yesterday. 35 incher I think Jonny said.
I also set up Pat in his wheel house. It was in a very fishy area that we had done well at a couple weeks ago.
I told them if the fishing was to slow in that spot we could plow another driveway today.
Marlo and Butch also set up by north carolina.
Don and his crew did so bad Monday in north dakota. I moved the house for them even though it had not been there 24 hours. I put them over in the area that Scott figured he caught over 20 in montana.
Wednesday morning I go out there to say goodbye. They again had poor fishing? Wow how can a house land over 20 fish with the house next to getting nothing.
Andrew, Dave and the 2 boys were in florida for 2 nights. They did just all right. Andrew said leaving the house where it was last fished was fine with him if they could get a discount. They did get enough for a big meal.
I be leave last night was the first night all our houses were open with no overnight customers.
Not sure if anyone remembers me talking about the greek. He came up with a invention that helps load your boat.
When he showed me his prototype 2 years ago I was like that's a million dollar idea. I came up with a name. The first Mate as you can load your boat with no help. It did not stick but thats ok with me. Its pretty cool as they get ready to launch, they will be donating some of the first profits to big brother. Billy/ the greek mentored 2 young men years ago. James was one of them. He now has become a big part of the new company. I will fill more in as time goes buy a I will also be trying to sell a few to the boaters I get here.
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Nice report Cookie. Love the picture on the home page!!! :happy1: :happy1:
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I wish I didn’t have plans this weekend I’d take a rental from ya
Cookie!
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26 days tell another big game fish season comes to a end. Its hard to be leave how fast it has gone buy. We have had house on the lake for 46 days. With 26 days to go its time for that second wind.
Old minnesota has opened up for the up and coming weekend. If it stays open I will be camping on the ice. The hammer and I had a chef salad out there last night, plus a bonus crappie we ate on the side.
Danny jr had released 2 this weekend out of north dakota. The third one was not so lucky as the hammer was craving a fresh crappie. Danny ,Janel and the rest of the family had a good time. Danny did catch a 35 inch pike saturday night. I think it may of been the same fish Jim caught thursday as the house was a couple hundred feet from where I had set Jim up in his wheel house. Him and his wife did ok thursday eve. They had a nice run the last night and got 3 quality fish. After that 2 little scuffits over night.
We set up Pat and his buddy in there wheel house thursday eve. I think they got 4 or 6 keeping 2. I told them I would have a good report in the morning and we could make them a new driveway if they wanted to move? They liked my report so they wanted to move. Upon lifting the house a cable broke. Err bad timing for me as we were kinda busy being a friday. I was able to make a round trip to shore and gather enough things for him to improvise a fix. The new spot paid off . they landed over 20 fish the next 48 hours. 20 fish sound great but when you do the math that 10 a day or 5 per guy? or 1 every 5 hours? The spot they left they got 5 in less then 16hours.
Montana had jonny boy and heather. She had a tough time landing a fish. If I told her once I have told her a dozen times you have to set the hook LOL.
California was a bust for Jarred. They had quite a few bites but only managed to land 2. In hindsight we should of moved them saturday. Jarred said they still had a good time and will be back next year. Its such a small world as Jarred's dad Donny use to play pool with the greek. 20 years ago.
Old minnesota was only rented saturday due to the cancelations last week. Dick Shawn and there gals did pretty good for 1 night taking home 9. From the looks of it they may of been fishing minnow heads as there were a few minnow body's under the house. Meanwhile 400 feet away, on a fresh spot Andy and his family can not buy a bite?
I plan on fishing old minnesota every night this week, besides the chubby darter I will be trying minnow heads on a Swedish pimple?
As long as mother nature cooperates. "Knock on wood" we will be staying on the lake chasing the elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies yes crappies. The last 2 years mother nature has thrown a wrench in things so time will tell. The plans are for the gang to go on the hunt the 11th 12th 13th of march. More details will follow. For now we will keep trying to land on the walleye mother load on a grand lake that owes us nothing
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Trying to blog has been a little more then tough. It has been a world wind here on the shores of upper red lake.
Mother nature has showed her ugly side. Starting with 1/2 inch of snow then big nw winds came rolling in last wednesday. Once the winds calmed just a tad, the temps have dropped like a rock hitting 31 below saturday morning. Then followed by 29 below, then throw in some more wind. Zoiks does it take a lot out of you and the help. Keeping the fleet going has been a big chore. Jonny boy thinks white lightning blew a head gasket? The hammers trail blazer coil packs decided they had enough. I have been waring 4 layers of clothing.
Hillmans highway has again came threw with flying colors, They dragged the road for 2 straight days letting the winds take the snow into the air. I spent some time cleaning up the landing as it was also blowing shut. Our secondary roads blew in to the point of having to cut new trails to take care of the guests.
Last sunday zack and his brothers checked in to north dakota where the first night they landed 7 walleyes. It went down hill from there. Mike and his family were at the end of the road. They also did not do that well. The fishing picked up a bit with bob and rick taking home 6 before the big winds.
Jackie and her family arrived thursday just as we buttoned up north dakota and montana. Thursday night after dinner they crushed the fish? Just crazy? They landed 7 elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies plus a bucket full of walleyes. Friday they went to westwind for a big fish fry. The fishing continued to be good for them. The biggest walleye I be leave was 22. They also released another 7 crappies only keeping 3 of the 14 caught.
Mean while 50 yards to the north california could not buy a bite with Brandon and Blain. Old minnesota had Harly with his son and grand son. They did manage too get 7 walleyes all under 15 inches.
Kentucky had Andy and Andy plus one. they managed to take home9 and released some fish with friday into saturday having the better fishing.
Florida had Kevin and Rollie where they also took home there 6 even though it was slow they had a grand time as there tradition of staying in florida continues.
Jake was also up to help a couple days last week.. they stayed in north dakota the last night where his youngest son Laken got his first elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. A fat 14 1/2 incher that jake filmed as he released it to fight another day.
We did check in some more guests the last couple days. Due to the extream weather conditions the houses had to stay where they were. I guess they drew the short straw. One of my golden rules when its below - 20. Are number one goal is to try and keep the fleet running with as little ware and tare as possible. It has started to warm a bit with minus 16 as I type.
The hammer has some doctoring to do so Jonny boy will be holding down the fort the next couple days. Sayimg good bye and checking in some more guest.
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good report Cookie. Good luck to the Hammer with the doctoring!
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Be careful out there.
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yup what Jb said!! :happy1:
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The cold snap continues. -32 right now. Yesterday coming back from fargo we stopped to pick up another radiator, yes another radiator for blue thunder. At one point we were down to a car and that was in fargo. Talk about going from plan A to plan Z. The big red 454 is getting a plow mount made . No sooner then we dropped it off white lightning took a shi... Head gasket. Blue thunder new radiator split along the seam, the red baron blew a power steering hose. Black beauty cooked the tranny this fall towing the red baron. I'm not sure why none of these problems pop up in the fall but I think it may have something to do with 31 below.
The fishing report is a mixed bag. Danny boy and Andrea arrived Monday. she was so pumped to land a walleye on her new rod. The first time I stopped in Dan was battling a big pike on 4 pound test. We landed a beautiful 33 incher. They also landed a 30 inch pike. Elvis was set up right next to them. He landed 2 walleyes and a elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. Dan and Andrea did finally have a run of fish, I know they landed a 20 and 18 inch walleye.
After they pulled out Johnny boy plowed Elvis a new spot. He had landed a couple fish last night plus as a bonus he caught the fish that took his pole earlier in the day.
While I was gone Brian checked into Montana. Not sure how they did but seeing that some one was spitting chew in the hole was disgusting.
Andrew and matt were in Kentucky they had 2 on the ice when I saw them last,
Dave and Robin were in Montana before Brian . Dave did land a elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie Tuesday morning plus they had a couple walleyes in there bucket. They had checked in Sunday. The house was in the same spot Jackie crew fished as mother nature kept us from moving her.
Tanner called yesterday and cancel Florida so she is open tonight and tomorrow. Keith also canceled California.
What was a full house turned into not so full this weekend.
On a side note a gave away a free night in a contest. The winner would like to donate to a kid that would like to spend the night in a deluxe fish house. One that does not get the opportunity to do a trip like this/ so if anyone has someone in mind reach out to me so we can get her done
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Damn cookie,godbless you ,stay healthy you live a tough life up there,hard never ending work24/7,takes a rare breed. Folks that farm as well,hats off.
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ouch!!
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ouch!!
i hear yea Mike. there's a reason i stay home when it gets this cold nowadays!!!!!!!!
good luck cookie. :happy1: :happy1:
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:nerd: :nerd:
ouch!!
i hear yea Mike. there's a reason i stay home when it gets this cold nowadays!!!!!!!!
good luck cookie. :happy1: :happy1:
& here I thought it had something to do with seein how long it took before you got that question AGAIN!!! :sleazy: :nerd: :nerd: ;) :rotflmao: :rotflmao: Yeah, neither man nor machine function very well in this weather. :pouty:
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:nerd: :nerd:ouch!!
i hear yea Mike. there's a reason i stay home when it gets this cold nowadays!!!!!!!!
good luck cookie. :happy1: :happy1:
& here I thought it had something to do with seein how long it took before you got that question AGAIN!!! :sleazy: :nerd: :nerd: ;) :rotflmao: :rotflmao: Yeah, neither man nor machine function very well in this weather. :pouty:
:rotflmao: :rotflmao: yea she isnt taking it well!!!!! :rotflmao: :rotflmao: since this rona crap hit, this will be the longest stretch i've stayed at home. and it'll be another month. i think!!!!! :scratch: :scratch:
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all's good here. we had a taker on the fishing trip. young lady and here grandpa are coming for old minnesota
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all's good here. we had a taker on the fishing trip. young lady and here grandpa are coming for old minnesota
:happy1: awesome. But LPS is gonna wanna know if she's hot. :confused: :rotflmao: :rotflmao:
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:scratch: Miley? :rolleyes: ;) :rotflmao: :rotflmao:
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Which cabin???? :sleazy:
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now guys its a 14 year old girl her grandpa reads the forums
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That is great. I hope they have a good time.
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That is great. I hope they have a good time.
2nd that... :happy1:
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man i thoight i was twisted
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man i thoight i was twisted
there isnt any thinking about it........you are!!!!!!!!!!
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well where to begin? I guess it would have too be the weather. Its been a battle too say the least. We got the red baron up and running after replacing the power steering line after getting the wrong one 3 times. Also got the new radiator installed in blue thunder. Of course the place I bought the last radiator will not respond to my email. Imagine that.
We also got a call from Barny the fabricator in Kellier he said big reds new plow mount is done, We now have the capability to put the v plow on either truck if one breaks down. Plus I have a straight blade that we can install.
The stupid little ford had to be jumped two morning in a row. 2011 ford will not start but 1988 454 chevy does?
North dakota had Tanner and his crew, the first time I swung in friday they had a pike, a perch, a crappie, and a walleye. Talk about a fishy area. They headed home sunday with a mess of fish.
Kentucky gave us fits with propane problems 38 below. The 30 lb tanks do not work so well. Then johnny boy was changing one out a 6am and the line going through the wall broke. After coming back to town I was able to find a replacement line. Glad I'm a hoarder. Its so hard to throw things away when a parts run is over 60 miles away. Fred, Mel, Jeromy and Denice were very nice about the problems we were having. They did get some fish with some smaller ones thrown in.
Poor caliifornia set empty all weekend .
Old minnesota had Tim and Joy. He is a big part of the take a vet fishing, hunting etc. They had to take a trip to baudett saturday morning as she got a lure in her thumb. The fishing was poor for them only landing 1 walleye.
Shell chick stayed in there sunday, monday .They got a fat 18 a fatter 19 and a couple other fish. They are heading home with there 6.
Florida had our daughter Melissa and her hubby Eric. They also had some action. Boy did I have a laugh. At some time sunday night one of them must of kicked a sock down a hole. When I was visiting yesterday I jigged a line. It felt like a small fish. I told miss so she reeled it in, a nice size 13 sock. Man did I laugh.
We all hung out for valitines dinner. . Last night Heather or feather as Eric calls her landed a 30 inch pike. She must of set the hook. They also had some walleye action landing a few walleyes to take home.
Montana had Mitch and John they managed to take home 5 with a few misses.
Another busy day is ahead as we have more guest coming today, tomorrow, thursday with a full house friday.
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With just 7 days of game fish season coming to a close, most outfitters are ready to pull the plug. I think?
It as always has been a grind but what makes it easier is when you love your job.
We did have a guest swing by yesterday Jonny P red lake remote swung by and gave us a ride in his tricked out suburban with tracks. Wow what a machine he has there.
The fishing the past week has been on the great side? Yes lots of limits were caught with some big pike thrown in and a few elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies.
Kentucky had Harley and his crew. They figured they caught 40 fish with 90 percent caught at the bewitching hour or after dark.
North dakota had Sean, Michële, Payton and Geoff. They had a grand time on a grand lake with Geoff landing his biggest fish ever a 36 inch pike on a rattle wheel .Thats 3 feet of fish.
Montana has Justin and his family They took home 7 I be leave but released quite a few as the over 17s were tougher to get.
Florida had Cambie Aron there 2 kids. They also went home with there 12 but did dontae a fishing rod to the bottom of upper red lake.
California had Ron, Ron and James? They also did well but had to leave due too the snow coming to southern minnesota.
Jim and his son had our little house north carolina. they also did well.
Old minnesota had Wayne and Paul two very close friends, We all had a hoot catching and missing fish plus playing a little cards with the hammer up to her usual game. I think with a little practice she could possible win a texas hold um tournament . She just needs to bluff one time every once in a while.
We also started a new program setting up wheel houses to fish in areas we caught fish and or close to our fleet. every one I checked in on did well. Plus picked up a couple supplys for them. More minnows, case of beer etc.
Zack broke a break line when his tire chain came off. Welcome to our world. I came out and we pinched it off with a small vice grip. I'm not sure if he limped it all the way home but he did message and say he made it home.
I had a free night I had given away. The gentalman that won was not a fishermen so he suggested to find a kid that could come and fish John messaged and him and his grand daughter Angela spent the night in old minnesota where they also caught more then there limits.
brian and Stacy were here for 3 nights, They also did well. She sent a pic of there dinner one night. The fish looked amazing. They stated it was better the lobster. They have been coming for years also.
We have also started to look for more then one elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. Harley got one. Marlo got 3 with 2 small ones. Jarrod got 2 small ones. Greg got one . Butch got two ,
I think jake got a couple last week before e he went home. 90 percent of them were released to fight another day or be eaten buy a big pike.
Our big crappie hunt is shaping up to be another grand one on a grand lake. March 11 12 13th. The last 2 years m mother b nature has put a kabosh on it so crossing our fingers it works out this year. I plan on spending quite a bit of time in old minnesiota starting tonight as we zero in on the mother load
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Great that the little girl and her Grandpa caught fish.
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Going out with a hot bite for sure. The Wisconsin boys Paul and Evan teamed up with Jake and the boys Gabriel and Lakken figures they caught over 100 fish . Jake ate fish cooked by westwind every evening. The second day with all of our fish Jake took 6 lbs of fish to get them cooked.
The hammer and I spent two evenings having dinner in old minnesota missing more fish then we caught.
Sean, Chad, Dave and Wyatt ate fish in montana the first night. They packed up yesterday with a few more fresh fish to take home.
As the season winds down we start looking for the elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. We have me looking one way , johnny boy another. Then jake going where no man has gone before. Were thinking the spot we have been looking is to infested with walleyes to find the mother load. Fun catching all these fish for sure. Then out of no ware a big old famous fish fools you at the hole. Its been a treat watching the hammer in action. I'm still having a hoot with the chubby darters. Now jake has challenged me to catch a elusive upper red lake crappie with one. I think if I have the right color it could be lites out.
I have a idea where I want old minnesota sunday evning as the season ends. I'm really hoping that spot pans out. Only time will tell but I may know by next monday morning? I might even have to break out the fish call .
I set up Tim with his wheel housemonday .Yesterday if said he caught a fish all day about every half hour.
We also set Ken and his buddy's up yesterday .They have 7 keepers so far. No crappies though. Pesky bottom feeding walleyes.
Time to get busy for the day as I again plan to wet a line at the bewitching hour with my fishing partner the hammer.
We have california open this last weekend as well as another cancelation This time florida is wide open. She will be on a fresh spot also
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The hot bite continued right into the last weekend of game fish season. All our guest did pretty well with quite a few fish caught through out the week into the weekend. The elusive yet still catchable crappie were not in the area with just one here and there. Dan and Mel had good fishing for over a month in the same place.
The last weekend we had Nick, Butch and Jim in north dakota, they did really well thursday evening.
Friday saturday were a little slower but they still caught some fish plus ate a few.
Florida had Rick and Aron friday saturday. They also had good fishing.
Jonhny boy and Jimmy fished california where jimmy figured they landed over 35 fish.
Montana had two couples. they had a blast with there best fishing the first night. They said they would love to come back next year.
kentucky had Joe and Zach and Seg? They use too work with johnny boy and have been coming up for a few years now. Joe just loves it as he also comes up with his dad. He caught a 24 inch walleye the first night , saturday they all had a fish fry.
Old minnesota was only saturday night. with Randy and his daughter Zoey. They also got there 6 fish to take home.
We also plowed a few spots for wheel houses with all of them doing pretty well.
Sunday we moved old minnesota and north dakota for the last night to a area I figured we might be able to land a elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. The hammer and I fished in minnesota while I had Ryan and his wife Mollie and north dakota Ryan did land a elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie but it was again just a loner. They did go home with the 6 walleyes.
This week we moved all the houses to a new area hoping to find a few of those trophy crappies, Jake was here fishing like a mad man as he just wants to land them, get some picks then release them to fight another day. I would say he drilled over a 100 holes give or take. He finally found a few the last morning he was here. Next weekend we have a few of the guys coming to find the mother load, Jake is pumped as he has found 3 or 4 spots he would like to get everyone fishing.
Last night the hammer got to catch a elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie she then released it to also fight another day. It was the only one we caught last night but I got a great picture of her holding it .
This weekend we have our daughter her hubby, grand kids, great grand kids coming up. Johnny boy and I have all the houses set up close together as we all get to spend some quality time together. Once again its time to get busy as we prep for the weekend.
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Our small crappie get together proved just how elusive the elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie can be. 2 and 1/2 days of hard fishing yielded only 5 . Jake and I fished the area I first met Jake. One small crappie was caught. We did have some action but they were the wrong specious . Coming in we did talk to a few other die hard fishermen . They also struggled to find them. The walleye population seems to be fine with numerous sizes caught the last few days.
Johnny boy and I were able to get all the houses on land and put into the woods for another year. Its hard to describe how good it feel to have them safe at home. I have had nightmare's waking up after dreaming that the houses are still on the lake and its all open water as far as you can see.
All in all it was another successful season. We did have some bad fishing but also some good fishing . Catching 20 fish a night in my books would be fantastic. Johnny boy did another outstanding job looking for fish. Plus the many nights spent out there gives a good report of the best times they seem to be biting. Every year is different. This year catching walleyes during the day was all most impossible? There were a few early afternoons where they put on the feed bags but 90 percent of the fish were caught after sunset or early in the morning.
Our good friend Jake also was a huge help ,prepping, and moving houses to fishy areas. He also brought his boys up quite a bit, Laken and Gabriel. Gabriel did a nice job helping out as well.
We owe a huge thank you to all our new and repeat customers again this year. I was not able to visit as much as I have in the past. Lets all hope and pray that things get back to normal as the year goes buy.
Our fleet of vehicle's had some issues again this year, that is to be expected as the lake can be hard on them at times. Blue thunder had to be limped the last week with a wheel bearing issue, The red baron broke a front axle/u joint. I had decided to get the same v plow mount installed on our other 454 chevy. She does not have the weight of the red baron but did her job.
Our good friend Bill aka the greek launched his new invention. When he showed me the proto type a couple years ago I was like that's a million dollar idea. It called the Boat load mate. It illuminates using your bow mount catch. Here's the web site www.boatloadmate.com.
Another year is in the books. Again a huge thank you goes out to all the customers and help we had again this year
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Time for a fishing report? As the days of the internet ,cell phones etc. the hot bite can be reported in seconds?
I / m not sure why the opener was so slow? My best guess is the fish are eating good with the abundance of bait fish in the lake. My brother Warren from Chicago was here with his friend Roy. We struggled to find a bite. We did manage to get 3 keepers with 2 of the 3 being overs. 2 were caught in less the 4 feet of water? Frank and his crew have been coming for years and they also has a rough opener. Frank said this was the first year they did not have there fish fry Saturday afternoon. Sunday was much better for them and they were able to have there fish boil which is always a treat.
We did send warren and Roy home with there fish but we had to work for those fish.
Josh and his gal came monday and struggled to find biters. Jim showed up tuesday and also struggled.
I did here the bite has picked up with again the shallower the better. With our 20 foot boat, fishing 3 feet of water can be tough some times. We have a full house again this weekend so we will see how the fishing is. Yesterday morning would of been perfect to hit our pre spawn crappie spot but my mowing job got in the way. I may get out the next few days if we get some calm water to target the elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie.
My back did flare up big time last friday so it was a tough weekend to be in the boat. I fretted all weekend that my golfing days may be over? Its is much better then it was so I think I will still be able to swing a club.
Time to head to work Ii see what I can report monday morning
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good luck with that back cookie........
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Another weekend is in the books. Buddy Hillmans Dad Shorty Hillman told me 20 years ago. "You have to be honest about how the fishing is it you want repeat customers" Last weekend was hard to report how bad it was especially how bad saturday opener was. The bite sure did pick up starting sunday then carrying to this weekend. Both our groups went fishing for fun as they ate fish then kept some for the trip home.
In hind site when my brother was here maybe we should of tried trolling spinners? Oh well next time.
I never got to our crappie spot ? The window to catch them on there beds is short so I need to get out there this next week for sure. just like every year my golf course job gets in the way, as I just have to golf after work as its part of the pay.
All the kids will be coming up this next weekend. Its always confusing when I try to take them fishing as you can not take everyone on one trip. This year the boat will be leaving the dock 8am sharp then again after dinner so they will all have to decide who is going to go. Its so funny every year Oh I though so and so was going then no one goes?
Been showing the greeks boat loading invention to our customers with boats. Still need to work on my salesman ship.
Our very good friend Ole which is 81 got his turkey yesterday. Big old tom he just sent me a pic.
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Well there is a pattern every year. Every year my reports and blogging go by the way side. There are a few reason . One I have 2 summer jobs one at the golf course in Baudette" Oak Harbor golf course" I also do the mowing around here for the township. Throw in a few guiding trips, cleaning our two cabins after guests, plus I'm addicted to golfing makes for a busy summer. The other reason is when it come to fishing reports it drives me crazy when I'm mowing homestaed park and the ball fields seeing all the day trippers launching there boats knowing our cabins are empty. They come from every where. So there you go that's why my reports are seldom in the summer.
Fathers day weekend the fishing was outstanding in 4 feet of water. Crazy 85 degrees and sunny, I would assume the fish are gorging the young of the year classes. Every thing from baby shiners to baby walleyes plus every thing in-between.
I did get out with our boat named 'Imagine That' my best friend Billy boy named the boat after a saying my Granma Olga. She would say in that Swedish accent oow imagine that. I had some leaches that customers left. Headed out to my summer morning spot . Trolling a spinner, 12 feet of water I got a nice 19. A fat 16 1/2 I also missed a couple fish before I called it a day. The hammer and I had a delicious meal.
Jonny boy and I went out yesterday . I missed quite a few fish, I did keep a 16 as we want to have a fish fry again. We also tried shallow, Again I missed a few fish. We did manage to get a couple small ones so I'm assuming the fish we missed were small.
I also reached out to find some friends from my childhood on facebook. Darn if I got a response from my best friend in forth fifth and 6th grade. Paul one of the nicer things about social media. He moved away from colorado. He now lives in las vegas . Soo enjoyed talking to him on the phone yesterday.
We are also became grand parents again. Luka halvarson we cant wait to go see him in mpls. I hope to take him fishing here some day.
Update on The boat mate, my good friend Billy boy invented. I have not sold one but it sounds like there falling off the shelfs. I new when he showed us the proto type 3 years he had a million dollar idea.
Well its sunday gotta go finish the yard work before back to the grind tomorrow
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cookie...still great hearing whats going on up there when you do post!!!!!!!! keep up the good work!!!! :happy1: :happy1:
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thanks glen how is retirement
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thanks glen how is retirement
awesome!!! :happy1: so far.
Thanks for asking!! :rotflmao:
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And he still cant catch a fish!
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And he still cant catch a fish!
:rotflmao: :rotflmao: and yet you posted pictures of my fish last year on red :mooning: :mooning:
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You begge me to hold my fish for a picture...
Man! Somepeople!
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:rotflmao: :rotflmao:
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You begge me to hold my fish for a picture...
Man! Somepeople!
:doofus: :doofus: man, your eyes gotta be brown. As full of 💩 you are if they ain't they should be :rotflmao: :rotflmao:
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:rotflmao: :rotflmao:
:pouty: :tut: :tut: :tut: :doah:
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Happy Thanksgiving to all.
Another ice fishing season is right around the corner. Jonny boy will be swinging by later today as we button up a few lose ends on old minnesota, I've cleaned the houses, fired up the heaters plus did some inventory of the houses. Again this year there are no pillows in the houses.
This year the phones have been a little quieter, the weekends are starting to fill up with more openings in feb then jan.. North dakota has again been the most requested house. It does sound like we may have 2 ice castles to rent this year also. I will not be taking any reservation on these un tell they are here on property.
The truck fleet as some issue again this year, The red baron started and ran fine this summer but now has developed a electrical problem. Barny in Kellior is taking a look at it for us. Blue thunder seems ready as well as the other 454 . I did fix the window so it stays up this season. Gets a little chilly when the window falls off its tracks and comes down. The black chevy was going to get the tranny rebuilt? That plan back fired as the price doubled to 2800 hundred dollars from last year so I will have to come up with a plan b.
This end of the lake looks like it locked up a few nights ago with lots of chunky ice. No clue how far it goes out that way. Every year I hope it will freeze nice and smooth like it did one out of the last 19 years. Guess maybe next year.
I personally do not like pushing the early ice. With last few nights temps I expect we may be pushing 3 inches of ice. Since we go out of hillmans resort I let Buddy Hillman decide on what and when is allowed out. I did see he has built another new house. I have no details on size at this time.
The new limit starts dec 1rst 4 fish with 3 under 17 and 1 any size.
It's pretty much a guess when the houses will go out this year. Maybe by mid dec just depends on mother nature.
Jake will again be helping us out this year. I think he had a decent year with his guiding business On The pond outdoors. He also makes some musky baits that are works of art in my opinion.
The hammer and I are looking forward to spending some time ice fishing inn old minnesota again this year.
Everyone have a safe and happy thanksgiving
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good to hear from ya cookie!!! :happy1: :happy1:
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Thanks cookie HTG! now glenn can quit bothering me....
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good to hear from ya cookie!!! :happy1: :happy1:
:happy1: :cool: Just told glenn yday that you'd be back soon. :crazy:
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He bugged yu too about cookie??
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Thanks cookie HTG! now glenn can quit bothering me....
:confused: :doah: oh and you dont BOTHER ME!!!!! :bs: :surrender: :rotflmao: :rotflmao:
nice report cookie!!!!!!!
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He bugged yu too about cookie??
:scratch: Oh, he's ALWAYS buggin me :rolleyes: :doah: & it's not just about Cookie either!! ;) :rolleyes: :laugh: :laugh:
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Things are starting to pick up here on upper red lake. All the resort are checking ice thickness and conditions as we approach the coming weekend. Most have facebook or web pages they are updating. We team up every year with Buddy Hillman out of Hillmans resort and bar Tall Tale tavern. Sound like they will be allowing just wheelers just wheelers out the the 3 X stakes. Buddy did find unsafe ice, unsafe ice further out. With the mild temps I'm sure it not making much more
Just like every year I'm staying on shore tell I can explore by vechicle.
We have had a few customers staying down on shore in our fish houses that had done all rite, I do not think anyone has been skunked. They save that for me.
We did have a cancelation this coming weekend. I would assume most operators are full. It's a hassle hauling down hot water for cleaning the houses on shore, but it's a good trial run every year.
We did acquire a ice castle again this year that has arrived so that one will be going on our web site, I nick named it alaska. cookiesonupperredlake.com;
Yesterday I had 30 phone calls with most of them wanting ice conditions? or fishing reports. Err hard to get things done sometimes. I hate not answering my phone and need to learn to let it go to voice mail.
The fishing report changes every day. One day they are biting well in 6 feet the next day 8 the next day great morning bite. Then a nice window at dusk in 5 feet for a hour. Its fishing you cannot catch any if you're not out there trying.
Well that all for now have plenty of things to get done today. Everyone coming up just remember common sense is free
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Awesome cookie, see ya next weekend!!!
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Awesome cookie, see ya next weekend!!!
bet he's regretting every minute. :sleazy: :rotflmao: :rotflmao:
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No he wont
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No he wont
:rotflmao: :rotflmao: good luck fishing buddy!!!!!!!!!!!! :happy1: :happy1:
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Well here goes. Good morning
Nick and Jacks crew were here Tuesday Wednesday.. they figured they caught 20 per day. They also caught one elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. This year I'm calling them a bonus fish They did land on the keepers. I should of walked out to where they were. Oh well hindsight is 20 20. I could see where they were so that's good enough for me at this time.
Dan and his crew also arrived for our cabin. I will see how they did today as they were out there all day yesterday. Jason and his crew arrived around 4 30 last night. They unpacked and headed out as the sun was setting so we will see how they also did. I can all most bet they forgot something as they hustled out there.
Yesterday I spent the day cleaning all the shacks for this weekend. It's kind of nice getting them all dialed in before they come out of the woods.
I did talk too Buddy Hillman briefly yesterday. He does have openings next weekend. We are all full at this time. We are waiting for another ice castle but I will not book it un tell it's here.
Jonny Boy will be up today to help get more propane's on the houses. The hundred pounders shot up in price? This year I will have to shut the heat off if they are going to be empty for even one night. I have always kept the heat on old Minnesota once it hits the lake. I also use it for my office on the lake so more than likely it will be status Quo.
I also have a couple other things that need to be taken care of before the cold snap hits.
I'm sure Johnny boy will be getting a little fishing in this weekend. I see a fish fry in the very near future say Saturday night.
The first band of snow missed us last night. just a trace so far. If you're on the lake this weekend watch the weather, walking in a white out could be quite the challenge. All the resort have been updating what they are allowing to go out there access this weekend. I expect tomorrow to be super crazy just like last year. Please everyone use common sense a listen to what the resort say. Quite often they are soo pumped to arrive they do not listen. I can not count how many times I have told someone ok come out on the lake drive 2 miles you will see a orange cone. wait for me there. Then they call were a the end of the road by the orange barrel's?. Kinda funny but with the early ice conditions pay attention. Have fun and save a few fish for me on a grand lake that owes us nothing
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Thanks cookie!!
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is cookie parking you wayyy out back like he did last yeat when i met up with you so you dont scare his other customers???????? :sleazy: :evil: :rotflmao: :rotflmao:
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plus. G :crazy:oing to warn them
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So it really begins. Sitting here this morning having my cup of coffee at the crack of dawn the vehicles are rolling buy. I was expecting it to be quite busy this morning if it is anything like last year. Although Rachele at HILLMANS POINTED OUT THERE ARE MORE PEOPLE WORKING THEN LAST YEAR SO MAYBE NOT.
Some of the resorts are allowing wheeler traffic out to a certain point. Make sure you talk to the resort you're going out of as most have been on the ice looking it over. I personally have been out about 100 yards if that. Buddy hillman has some stakes shaped like a x and has requested to not go beyond that point.
No idea what the other resorts are asking so thats why it's so important to stop and check in to get the scoop.
The winds did pick up yesterday afternoon. Red lake remote posted some pics of open water on their side of the lake.
We may have some lodging tonight as few of the guys are worried about the possibly of snow coming. If it gets sketchy out there Saturday eve. It would be a great idea to get off the lake as white outs can be really spooky out there.
We're going to try a button up a few more things today before the bitter cold hits us here on the shores of upper red lake. I've did my no snow snow dance so will see if it works. Sometimes it does but sometimes it does not.
One year they predicted 6 inches of snow. I got up the next morning. I went outside and was like sweet it missed us. I dilly dallied around that morning before heading out to get the houses prepped for the weekend. Holes augured etc. To my surprise the snow had come across the lake after all. With that plus the winds, all the houses were drifted in with no roads or trails even going to the houses. That turned into a grueling day. That was a good lesson.
The fishing report from all the guy's last night was ok. I do not think anyone got skunked. Jonny boy even landed a elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. I nice 15 1/4. The hammer/wife had vision of eating it, but Jonny boy released it to fight another day.
We all full again next weekend on shore, Buddy Hillman did say he still had some on shore lodging. I peeked into his new double decker, very impressive. Thinking it sleeps 4?
The guys in the ice castle nick named alaska were going to play some cards. I was still waiting for some late arrivals so I could not play a few hands. Maybe tonight if they shuffle up and deal.
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I saw that double decker a few weeks ago when we went by. Nice looking house. So Cookie, I have always wondered what the deal is with that house that is right next to the Post Office? They have the Tyvek on it for years so when are they gonna side it? LOL
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I saw that double decker a few weeks ago when we went by. Nice looking house. So Cookie, I have always wondered what the deal is with that house that is right next to the Post Office? They have the Tyvek on it for years so when are they gonna side it? LOL
a douber decker fishhouse?????? how much ice ya need for that????????
LPS there are places around us that have looked like that for 5-8 years!!!!!!! not unusual around us!!!!!!!! :doah: definitely a different style up that way!!!!!!!
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if I remember right Mil Lacs lake double deckers a few years ago already
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I saw that double decker a few weeks ago when we went by. Nice looking house. So Cookie, I have always wondered what the deal is with that house that is right next to the Post Office? They have the Tyvek on it for years so when are they gonna side it? LOL
Not sure why Hank has not sided it?
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We got all our guest checked in for the weekend. Jonny boy has been escorting some of them this week toa few of his way points with real good sucess. I'm going to go check out the lake for the first time today. Once we start seeing over 14 inches it will be time to haul the houses over to Hillmans . Buddy Hillman has been hard at it staking, grooming, dragging the new highway. There are a couple spots that he is concerned about. Not sure if I have done a need cold, cold dance but might give it a shot. My no snow, snow dance may have helped a bit as I think we only got 4 of the 10 they predicted. I still have not heard of any fisherpeople getting skunked , I guess they are saving that for me.
One of our good customers Rick had to cancel the cabin next weekend. prayers for his family would be apricated.
I'll have a full report of how everyone does monday .
Sounds like the north shore has some sketchy ice write now. I have also seen a couple satellite pics of open water. Once that gets a skim of ice you can easily be on 10 inches going to 1 or 2. That has always spooked me.
All the resorts up here in waskish are still keeping wheelhouses off the ice, I have a feeling its plenty busy down on the south end. Had a couple small wheelhouses that were going to camp here but decided the last minute to head down there instead. The traffic here has been pretty consistent this morning.
Last weekend's Sunday snowstorms gave the lake a nice break from all the fishermen. We did have 3 younger kids that stayed out there Saturday night. They did make it through the night but said it was brutal. They will not forget that night that's for sure.
I picked up new plug wires for blue thunder last week. man was that a fiasco. I just turned my head and walked out of the first parts store. The second one I just bit the bullet and dealt with it I think they will work but not quite what I wanted.
Were still waiting to hear about red baron's electrical issue. Glad I got that mount built on the other red 454.
I think we found someone to put a used tranny in black beauty. Getting the old one rebuilt was way out of the price range for that truck. The price doubled for rebuilding to 2800.00
We're getting the two-ice castle dialed in here on shore. They are nick named Alaska and Utah.
I have seen a few more pics of the elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. When they get that big now days, they seem to be a loners.
Well, it's getting lite out time to check more to do off our to do list.
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I would have to say it was a very successful weekend when it came to the fishing this past weekend. Our houses are still on shore. We're shooting for the 20th after this next cold snap.
Jamie and Karah liked the house, she also mentioned she got here personnel best crappie. An elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie.
Jason, Melisa, Barb stayed in the ice castle Alaska. Jonny boy set them up on a saved way point. Barb was tickled to get an elusive upper red lake crappie on her birthday to boot.
Dan and his crew said they did well.
Joe Jamie, and the two girls Shelly and Shannon? Had a grand time on a grand lake. One of the girls liked that we had pots, pans, etc. in the house. Joe stayed in the other ice castle Utah. He did well also. Paul and Effron? were two older gentlemen I did not get to visit with them, but I assume they did well. Ozzie and his two buddie hit it hard 3 days in a row. I did take a ride with Jonny boy onto the lake, so we stopped to see how they were doing. They landed 2 while we were there. One on a tip up the other jigging during high noon.
Calvin, Nikki and Jose were staying on our cabin. Super nice people I was able to go have lunch with them yesterday at westwind. They also had some friends staying at beacons resort, so they all hooked up every evening. They all went to Hillmans bar Tall Tale Tavern. They shot some pool. Wish I knew that I would have joined them. I love pool.
Not sure what all the resort plan on letting out this coming weekend. This cold snap should help us out a lot. Jonny P up at Red lake remote posted a short video on whats going on up on the north shore as far as ice conditions. Very informative and hands on the ice conditions up there. Every year the ice sheet freezes different depending on wind direction, snow, cold, etc.
Jonny boy has spent quite a bit of time on the lake fishing, so we have a pretty good idea where to start the season with the houses. Finding those under 17s can be tricky that's for sure.
The wife Nicked name "the hammer" are looking forward to spending some time fishing in old Minnestoa again this year.
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Mother nature gave us a one two punch Wednesday Thursday, with quite a scare for all up here. with the temps reaching 44 degrees the snow slowly melted away on the lake. The visibility was as thick as pea soup. I was very thankful we had no one staying here. One of the employees down at rodgers had became lost on the lake. Not good, I hate to admit but I have had a couple times out there in white out condition. I guess I would say the best advice is do not panic. The first responder were notified at some point. By 830 wednesday night they gave up deciding to wait tell morning. In the meantime the temps started to plummet with a 32 degree swing in less than 20 hours. We actually got lucky with the snow fall with maybe a inch. The wind on the other hand was gusting and blowing 30 to 40 miles a hour, I think. Searching for this young man made it all most impossible. Such a dangerous citation. As the winds finally calmed down and improved visibility, they found him safe and sound. I do not know all the details, other than he got hung up on a pressure ridge at some point. He then was able to get to a cabin on the north shore which is pretty much a miracle. There are only a couple places you can even see a cabin on the north shore. I would really like to hear more about what exactly happened so it could be a learning lesson. This lake can have a very ugly side when it comes to weather. With the winds being a main culprit. Throw in a little snow and white outs are very common out there. I guess the best thing you can do is hunker down.
I personally was so relieved when we heard he had been found safe. I do not want to admit it but I thought the worst.
Thursday I had a eye appointment. Driving to Bemidji was treacherous once you got past Kellier. What normally take a hour turned into over 2. I got home just as the sun was setting. I knew I would have to plow down at the lake due to high winds plus 1 inch of snow. I headed down yesterday morning to turn on the heat to the house's only to discover 3 foot drifts. Blue thunder got her first good work out with a tank of gas and four hours of plowing. I did also go over to hillmans to help him clear some of his landing.
We did have Quinton and Paul staying in old minnesota . They have a snow bear, they were out in those elements during the fog but stayed on shore thursday. They did fairly well with one of them landing another elusive upper red lake crappie. Jonny boy did spend some time fishing with them yesterday. He has hooked up with them before as they hit it off the first year they stayed here.
The rest of my day was spent taking care of arrivals that are staying here over the weekend. I get to visit a bit tonight so I will have a good fishing report for the weekend.
We're planning on bringing the fleet out of the woods and on to the lake starting sunday. Jonny boy has been scouting, fishing since thanksgiving so we have some spots picked out to start the season. Once the house are on the lake I will pretty much be out there for the next 100 days so the real season starts sunday.
Since I go out of Hillmans with my rentals we help Buddy hillman on his main road. At this time he is allowing side by sides pulling single axle wheelhouses out. Make sure you check in to get any other details in the store, bait shop where you buy your road pass. Same with any other resort you may go out of.
I'll be checking out the lake more today once we get are last guest checked in.
A big thank you goes out to all involved in finding the young man that got lost out there. Let's all remember to use common sense out there as this is a big lake that unfortunately can have a very ugly side. Watch the weather as always plan for the worst.
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Today we will start off with a fishing report.. She was a little slower this weekend for sure.
Old minnesota has Travis and his buddy I have not met yet. They did better yesterday then saturday and are here a nother night. They get a treat tonight as we plan on getting the last of the fleet out onto the lake today.
Chris arrived later in the day on saturday. They were staying in North dakota. Never got the 3 young guys names. Once they were unpacked Chris called about 4 30 pm. There wheeler would not start. We made arrangements to get them out there yesterday. No sooner then I got back to shore. Chris called. Augur trouble. I had Jonny boy go out there to punch them some holes. Maybe 2 hours later Chris called again. heater trouble. By then the wind was whipping pretty good so they decided Red lake had kicked their ass and were ready to pack it in. They did get to catch one walleye 17 incher and 1 pike.
Jana,Mike Boar and Lori were in the Alaska ice castle and Florida fish house. They only caught 6. Boar did say that his cousin about 200 yards away was hammering them. It was good to see boar again. We visited for a bit saturday night.
Montana had Lorie from stillwater with her husband Mike? and son. They headed home a day early as thy limited out.
California had Brian and wade. Really not sure how they did as we never hooked up. They did leave the house nice and clean though.
Utah the other ice castle had Duane and his two buddies. They did real well having a fish fry both nights, plus they got into a mess of Pearch.
Nathen and his buddy in the cabin also did well.
Jonny boy and I started pulling the houses out on to the lake yesterday afternoon. With 4 down and 3 to go. So far so good. We only have one guest today so Jonny boy plans on wetting a line again tonight to see how the house does in that area. He did get one last night.
A couple more elusive yet still catchable crappies were caught again this weekend. With 10,000 lines down that would be expected. Send a 100 hundred guys out there and it would probably be a different story on A Grand Lake That Owes Us Nothing
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Always great to see you brother! We always have a great time!
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Been a busy week here on the shores of upper red lake. Jonny boy and I spent sunday monday getting all the houses on the lake. We had Lonnie Craig, Dave fishing old Minnesota just for the day. They ended up landing 15. I even got one when Lonnie stepped outside. I got my first walleye of the season on his fishing pole. About 9pm tell 11 they had some real good action before they came off the lake.
We also had Steave spend 2 nights monday tuesday in the utah ice castle. He only took home 3 He did also catch some perch. Not sure how many total fish he caught but he was happy with the accommodations.
Jonny boy and I also helped out on Hillmans highway. I think the road goes out about 3 miles now give or take.
We did have a family of 10 check in friday afternoon. Shelly made the reservation, her and her hubby Bob live in montana so they flew into bemidji. Shelly's mom Jana came from hayward Wi. where she owns a resort. Rob and Kathy were also staying in old minnesota with her. Kathy was a foster child Jana raised. Jason his wife Lauri and daughter were in montana fish house Jason is a cousin his wife stayed up all night friday fishing.. Montana had the best fishing, old minnsota had the biggest while north dakota had the slowest. I can tell you they seem to be having a grand time on a grand lake. Rob, Kathy, Jana winter in Texas so they had brought up a pile of fresh shrimp.
After a christmas dinner of turkey and all the fixins.. I went out to visit for a bit. They were just finishing their dinner of fresh walleye and shrimp. There all staying tell dark tonight then heading home. Another great group of people I so glad they got to catch some fish.
Sheel chick and Sandy were fishing in florida. Sandy got a nice chunky 22 incher friday. They got there 8 for the trip home and were catching and releasing yesterday.
Jonny boy fished the ice castle last night and they got 7.
Mel and Dan rolled in with their fish house. Dan was putting the smack down on them friday during the day with a pink jig with rubber legs. The magic lure.
Today The season kicks into high gear for all the outfits up here. Of course, mother nature is going to throw in her 25 cents. With snow and winds if you're coming up prepare for the worst. We have all the houses full for the next week with turn overs every day. Our goal has always been to have the houses on fresh spots. If it's a fishy area sometimes the move may not be too far, but the holes are fresh.
There is a bridge out of Hillmans. We have an active pressure ridge out about 1/4 mile. I have moved the bridge 3 time all ready. I'm not too thrilled about the potential snow so again I will be doing a less snow snow dance a few times today.
Were still waiting on some parts for the red baron. We did have front axle, but it was not the rite one. We do have the v plow on the red 3/4 ton so that's good. I even had the hindsight to fix the broken window so at least it will stay up this winter. I also have a straight blade that Jonny boy and Dan are going to get out of the woods for me. I be leave it is heavy duty as I have never had it on the trucks. It is a manual plow. You have to angle it by hand then lock it in Left, right, or straight.
I did blow a radiator hose on blue thunder Wednesday we were able to track down a used one for now. Today we need to move north dakota, florida, Utah, california.
Well, it's time to get to work on this grand lake that owes up nothing
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I have a little time to write this morning so here goes.
We said goodbye to Shelly and her crew yesterday, they were such a nice family, I think we all made a connection and feel they could become life time friends.
They also left all 3 houses just like they got them which makes them much easier to clean. I did get a very nice text also. she said They felt very lucky to catch so many quality fish. The fishing has been pretty darn good.
Dan and Mel have been having a riot.
Dan helped us move houses yesterday as my back is not doing so well. My original back problems going back to my painting car days including 22 years of working at 4 different golf courses, playing golf as much as I could has finally taken its toll. My plans are to keep giving it 100 percent but also doing some more doctoring.
Mel enjoyed catching some nice fish yesterday while Dan was outside helping us. I think she is hoping he will want to help again today. She got a 24 incher Saturday night. They have some family coming up today so we will be moving montana over buy them.
Old minnesota also will be doing the cookie shuffle as the fishing was also good in that area. Alaska needs to be moved over by Utah as Keith and his family have both of them for a couple days.
We checked in Pat, Scott and there 5 boys yesterday. They are in north dakota and floida so we will see how there doing some time this morning.
I'm herring all kinds of reports about the weather. We have 2 inches of fresh snow on the ground so far. my weather says the winds are going to slowly calm down then changed to the west later this evening? I guess if anyone is coming up today they should check what the other resorts are going to do. Buddy Hillman gave the green lite yesterday for any vehicles and houses. The roads will not be plowed tell the winds and weather cooperate. Everywhere you leave tire tracks collects more snow. EveryWare you plow causes more drifting so the worst thing we can do is plow in the snow and wind. Curve and corners are the worst when it comes to drifting. I'm always trying to figure the drifting out but hardly ever get it right as mother nature is the boss out there. she swirls, switches and just causes fits.
One year I thought I had her all figured out I pulled monatana and florida off the main road away from anything. I would just leave them there tell after the big blow. I get out there and the snow is so packed under the house I had a heck of a time digging then out. Hindsight I should have banked the ends so the snow could not go under them.
Well, its time to check the fluids and fire up the fleet on a" Grand lake that owes us nothing
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Hard to remember everything this past week. The fishing has been good for some, great for others and so so for others.
From Christmas to new year's is and always has been one of the busiest weeks of the year. Our friends Dan and Mel were here for a week. Dan helped Jonny boy and I move houses and deal with small issue. He was a tremendous help. Mel always has some food for us to replenish ourselves as we bust butt out there.
Mother nature had to throw in a few curve balls along the way with 2 dumping of snow, then a nice little cold snap to make things just a little more challenging.
During the second snowstorm we lost a lower radiator hose followed 2 days later with a water pump. Throw in a dead battery on my car during the cold snap. Now the red chev with the v plow has rusted out a fuel line. She is down for the count at this time until our guy can tackle it. We limped it to Barny in Kellier to tackle it asap. If it was a older truck, a couple hose clamp's, a hack saw, flaring tool couple hose clamps were back in business? Instead, were looking at a much bigger project. Were now down to just blue thunder for a few days.
Its pretty much impossible to report who caught what, which house, when they arrived when they left, what got moved etc so I will try and share a few highlights.
The Bodee family had the two ice castles utah and alsaka ,they had decent fishing.
Pat his buddy with the 5 kids had North dakota and Florida, they started off slow, we got them a new batch of bait and there fishing did turn around. The kids played outside on and off for 3 days, They did take home a dozen fish I believe.
Joe and his dad stayed in old minnesota for 3 nights. They ate fish plus were able to take home 7 or 8 fish plus bring in the new year in old minnesota.
Tim, Amanda and Emma were in florida for 2 nights over new year's. They figured they caught 35 fish in 2 days. Amanda and Emma also got the personal best sized walleye. North Dakota running on the same generator had Tim and Joy. They landed 2. Jonny boy did try and help them by bringing them some smaller lures and bait. Even though they only got a couple they already are planning for next year.
Roman and Bob did really well in california ,plus left the house in outstanding shape which always makes my cleaning much easier.
Ellein, Dan and the two kids were in alaska. They only had so so fishing. We also had a propane issue the first, morning when the temp hit -35. Once we got a nice warm 30 pounder on her the furnace kicked back in.
Jeffs house also had propane issue, I suggested they dump hot water on the tanks. The trick worked and the pressure came back up.
Utah and Chris and his gal Tosha. They had trouble getting there deisel truck going so Jonny boy scrambled to gather everything to cover it up with the parachute and get some heat under her.
Montana had Ryan Joe and the two boys leo and Jack. They took home some fish plus ate a few. Joe said the two boys can eat some fish. I ask if they use tater sauce? yes ketchup and miracle whip. I think they name it pink stuff.
We also set up a few wheelhouses. As far as I know most did well. with 2 houses each catching a elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie.
I'm hoping I can try and blog at least's every other day. Knock on wood.
Buddy Hillman got the double decker out on the lake. She sleeps 10. He also is finishing up another that has a sauna attached to the outside. He said he always wanted one with a sauna.
The main road goes out about 3 miles. I expect another mile will be made soon. Off road travel is possible but watch out for field's of broken ice which has gathered quite a bit of snow. I did find a small pocket of slush in one of those areas when I tried to cross country to my houses rather than back track on the road.
She is getting lite out time to check the fluids and fire up blue thunder. happy new year to all
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3 days seem like a month, mother nature on the mighty red never lets up. What started off as a strong ne wind came a inch of fresh powdered snow followed by a strong north wind followed up by a strong nw wind all in 30 hours. Then to boot we had fisher men hunkered down out there.
Keith Bodee returned to give it another shot with some pals in fish house Alaska. I think they ended up with 8 as the bite was horrible.
Fredrick and his gal Mel did well saturday sunday in florida. Monday we are blaming the high pressure as the bite was tough, brutal. Even the liars got skunked.
Steve and His dad Jerry were in montana, I do not remember how they did I don't think too well. Steve and his dad were up here 15 years ago. I think they rented from cousin Pete my mentor.
Tom and derrick? were in california sunday monday they did go home with 8.
I made the rounds monday night before the snow started. It was quite depressing as the numbers were ugly 15 fishermen 3 fish, I think. Jonny boy stayed out there and managed to get 5.
Charlie, Mason, Quade and Nolan were a group of younger guys that all work at a prison in Wisconsin. They leave this morning I think they may be up to 8.
Joe and his buddy were in north dakota after the poor bite on monday it did pick up the next 2 days as they were leaving this morning.
Tim and his gal are in florida one more night. There happy and getting a few.
I'm sure i missed something as I just turned 62 yesterday my memory is not as good as it use to be. Uggg.
Today also marks 43 years of marriage. She was 15 we had to wait tell I turned 18. They all said it would never last.
The fleet has turned into 1. Not much of a fleet. Red baron is still waiting on a front axle. The other 454 has a fuel leak. Not like the old stuff where a piece of fuel line, a couple hose clamps your back in business. Sounded like the whole intake manifold has to come off wtf.
Yesterday we did move 2 houses as we dug out and re-opened our road system with the fleet of one. Blue thunder.
I had just walked into the house when Jonny boy called, I'm stuck. I headed out. cut a new road to him, got him tugged out so he could get to shore. I then proceeded to keep making a new road. Not 10 minutes after Jonny boy left, I buried blue thunder into a area with 3 foot drifts. I do not think Jonny boy could of even gotten to me so I broke out the cracked number 2 shovel and proceeded to start digging. After 2 attempt's I was able to get her out. The new road now has a bend in it.
We then got the call from Buddy Hillman as some snow had to be moved away from the bridge area. As I worked on that it felt like I was plowing a kmart parking lot. Jonny boy took over when I needed gas so I came home for my birthday dinner of soup and grilled cheese.
Time to check the fluids as today we need to move 5 of the 7 houses and say goodbye to our customers. Plus I need a new shovel.
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Thanks for the URL news and congrats on your years of marriage. That is special.
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Thanks ,did get in trouble though 44 not 43 Ooops :crazy:
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Most years I do not count the days tell the season is over. With all these crazy winds I'am tempted to say the least.
I was going to have a procedure done on the 7th so I had to get the covid test. To my surprise tuesday morning jan 4th got the email positive. Another weekend I would not be making the rounds . I was pretty much delegated to staying in the vehicles. I never felt anything. Maybe a slight headache one day. I did hit a wall on thursday but i think i was just burned out with a average of 4 hours sleep for a few days. Mother nature has been so brutal.
Our friend Darrin came up to help us get all the houses moved and reset for the up and coming weekend.. We abandoned the area closest to shore.
We cut 3 new trails to the houses running straight north.
Matt his dad were on old minnesota. The fishing started off again horrible. It did pick up saturday as it warmed up. They had to leave early sunday morning so I got the call around 5am the winds saturday eve. had again taken our roads.
With blue thunder I had to make my way over to them, the winds had packed the roads to the point there was no sense even trying to plow. Another new road was in order. After I got them on the road I spent the next 4 hours cleaning up the mess mother nature created. From old minnesta I headed west elimnating the road running north to alaska and montana.
Josh his dad and 2 boys had a grand time fishing montana. They all landed at least one fish with a 22 being the biggest. I know they did eat a couple fish also. Josh said his dad got to catch fish and see him and his boys catch some.
Alaska had the owner of that house. They managed a couple but tough bite for sure.
Florida had Nick and his friends. Saturday morning, they were up to 7 when I checked on them. Sunday they were gone? before I could say goodbye.
North dakota had Pat and his crew they also got a few on the new spot but again the bite was tough at first, picked up saturday then went downhill again.
I also was able to plow a couple spots for wheel houses Rod got 3 saturday.
Another group That were friends of our old helper Richie called. i set them up they got two. saturday they decided to go over to westwind. saturday night around 7 pm when the winds were again howling I get a call. Cookie were stuck in a snowbank can you come give a us a tug, were just off the landing coming back from the bar.
i ask again your right off the landing yep. I'm right in the middle of making dinner. I fire up blue thunder, get over there, They are 1 mile out errr. Then the truck is 4 truck lengths into westwind berm. There is no way I can even get to them. I tried to move some snow but only gained a little bit. The snow they were in was at least 4 feet deep. I backed up as far as I could got out my stap. I was 3 straps to short. Totally disgusted I had no choice but to have them find more help.
Jonny boy is in kellier trying to make some progress on the red truck. Were still waiting on a axle for the red baron We sure need one of our v plow trucks now as the snow has become rock hard form all the high winds.
Today will again be a grind fighting the elements with the teps hoovering a - 20. Were planning on moving california, north dakota and Utah. Jake is here fishing with his boys. They will be helping me today.
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what a week for ya!!! hope this is a better one!! :happy1:
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Yah, hope Ma nature gives you a bit of a break!
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Hang tough cookei be safe out tjer!
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Just looked at the weather. The predicted snow went just to the sw of us.
Its been a busy week here on the shores of upper red lake. We had guest coming and going.
Jonny boy was able to take the red chevy trusty rusty his her new nick name. That truck has some rust for sure.
He was able to fix the gas line leak but it was not easy. He said we should replace all the fuel lines this summer.
Is sure nice having the v plow back on the ice as it opens up alot more fishing grounds for us.
More good news as the red baron is also done. hoping to go pick her up this afteernoon.
We has some interesting guest this past week. Mark and renet managed 5 small ones as they were on a fresh spot for one night.
Steave and Cindy were a retired couple, that were trying a sleeper fish house for the first time. I sure enjoyed visiting with them. Cindy did get a nice one over 20 inches plus they did get a few others, but it was slow on that new spot also.
Jim and Gale were two nights in old minnesota. They moved right in and were home away from home. They had a few the first night. I think they went home with 6.
We moved John s and his crew after the second day with 7 fish. It was a big move that did not pay off. Tom did say it was better where they were.
kellie and I had to make a run to Fargo so jonny boy was in charge of cutting us a new path further out. He found an area we have fished before. Some fish have been caught there. I was excited as we got the whole fleet over the new area.
Seems the very end has had the better fishing.
Making the rounds friday night there was some excitment as Kyle and his guest were having some action in montana when I stopped in. They had 5. and had missed a couple.
California was 200 feet away with Chad and his dad Jeff they could not by a bite? It was dark when I went buy there last night.
Florida has our crew from Iowa. Sarah, Ken, Carl and Terry. They also had action friday night. Not fast and furious but some action. They loaded me up on breakest burrittos for jonny and me Venison Jerky, steak bites. They sure enjoy there trip every year and have it dialed in.
Old Minnesota Had Ryan and Devin. They had also had no action the first night. That sure surprised me after seeing all the action in montana just to the south.
We also checked in guest that were coming yesterday so we will have to see how they did. As of last night it was slow slow slow. I sure was bummed coming off the lake last night as all the houses are on fresh spots further out.
We will have to figure it out today and go from there.
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Will start with the fleet and go from there. Picked up the red baron sunday late afternoon. Our electrical problems are still giving me grief as I only made to 3 miles out of town before it blew the ecm fuse. Another fuse and it popped again. One more same thing so now we have to tow it back to town with nowhere to turn around, The 3 mile tow turned into a 15 mile tow as we had to turn around at lost river road.
I sure miss having that truck.
Sunday we had more guest checking in and a couple still here from friday.
Bob and Rick were in old minnesota, Inever got to play any cribbage with them but did spend a little quality time with them for a bit as the winds picked up to white out conditions after 3 inches of fresh snow. They did go home with 6 walleyes and rick snagged a elusive upper red lake crappie plus they ate a couple
Mother nature can be relentless out there. I had all the guest hunkered down hoping I would not get a call/ Jonny boy spent the night out there to fish plus come to the rescue if we had any problems. We did have a problem with alarm in the alaska ice castle. The guys survived but it was annoying to say the least. They had the best fishing landing 20 fish with 8 elusive upper red lake crappies. They did keep the two biggest over 14 and released the smaller ones.
We also checked in Randy his wife Cindy? into montana ,there friends checked into florida. I think Gary and Mary got there 8. Randy and Cindy also caught some fish bot nothing to brag about. Gary said the bite was so lite they were tough to get.
Wednesday we spent a better part of the day helping clear Hillmans road as the winds had taken all the roads and trails. All our houses also had to be dug out. Just about dark Jonny boy lost a cv joint on rusty trusty. One trip to blackduck for the wrong part. Thursday we had him go to bemidji for the right one, He then got back to install it yesterday. Buddy hillman was nice enough to let us use his shop. doing it in the driveway would of been miserable.
I think I hear the wind howling out there. ERRRR/ with some more snow coming followed by some more winds its going to again be a long weekend here on the shores of upper red lake. I'll try my no snow snow dance but do not have one for the wind. Tryng to plan for the snow and winds is all most impossibe. We have a busy day today as I do not want montana and florida stuck where they are as there is a ton of snow.
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Wow Mother nature was mad friday as we worked are assess off moving 5 houses in white out conditions. Clancy, john and Zack in north dakota got to enjoy the show from the comforts of a warm cozy house. They did get 8 fish and a elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie thursday night.
We had to have Gary and his two grandsons Luke and Will pack there things on the bed as Florida had to be moved. Thay had 6 keepers from thursday night. The new spot was not as good but the house was safe again.
Montana was next. Mitch and Tracy would be arriving around 2. We got them checked in a little late as again the conditions were a battle to say the least. Sometimes you were lucky to see 100 yards. Mitch had been here over 10 years ago. I never got to spend much time visiting with them. They only got 3 keepers. Again at least the houses were safe.
I checked in Jerry and Susie into old minnesota. they got 4 nice keepers the first night with the biggest coming at 230 am. Super nice couple that are still here.
Alaska and Utah had the owners in them. Alaska got 4 elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies with my old helper Big Tony landing 2 over 14 inches. They also got a few walleyes. Utah had also gotten at least one elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie.. No idea how many walleyes they caught as he left early sunday morning.
California had Jarrod, Rupa, and Landon. They arrived saturday just after we got the house moved. We had moved it before the big blow so we just had to dig it out and take it to a new spot. The door was cracked open when I walked in. There was basically a truck load of snow in the house, I was not planning on that. They have also caught 2 elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies and a few walleyes.
Still trying too get the electrical problem solved on the red baron. I did talk to my old friend Tommy that owned a street rod shop I worked at 25 years ago. He is a wiring Genius so he gave me some things to try to find where the short may be..
Blue thunder was mad at me yesterday morning. I managed to flood her when I went to start her. At 20 below I screwed up pumping the 4 barrel carb. I plugged her in for the first time ever? A couple hours later she was running again.
Jonny boy, I and Dann then got montana, north dakota, utah moved. We were behind schedule as blue thunder caught me off guard.
I have to go to bemidji this morning as we have a generator that got looked at. They said it had bad gas? How bad gas could of gotten in there I have no clue. All the other generators avoided the bad gas?
Jonny boy will hold down the fort. He did spend the night out there, so we had fishermen in 5 houses out there last night.
Buddy Hillmans road is in great shape with plenty of areas too find fresh fishing spots. It goes out about 5 miles straight west. The south side of the road has sank so going south would be a very bad idea. I'm also planning on doing some fishing this week so everyone wish me some luck on " a grand lake that owes us nothing"
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Good luck Cookie!!!
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Mother nature will just not give us a break this year. The winds were again a nightmare out on the lake yesterday. Buddy Hillman was dragging the road last night when I came off the lake. As I was traveling in off the lake in blue thunder, I heard a slapping sound. Stopping to investigate. I had broken another tire chain. The left one broke on tuesday the right one on wednesday. I did have one spare but now need to track down another set. I really do not feel like making the track to bemidji this morning.
I have also started plugging in blue thunder, knock on wood, why I did not start doing that when I first saw she had a block heater. wow what a difference.
We are seriously planning on building a shop this spring, summer. Ideally, we would like a lift plus a drain. Not sure how the fleet would react to spending the night inside though.
Jonny boy moved a house out to a way point from last year. Him and Scott had pretty good action there the first night. Will see how he did last night before we make the big move. We also had another spot that did real well last weekend we have our eye on for a couple wheel houses this weekend.
The icog event is this weekend. The fireworks show they put on is well worth the time spent watching it. Were roughly 7 miles from jrs so the traffic will not affect are fishing grounds.
Yesterday was again a busy day on the lake. Steave left from utah with his 4 walleyes plus he took home 3 elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies. Steve owns a pole lumber yard in new brighten.
Matt and Chris were in montana on a new spot as well. They landed 7 not so elusive upper red lake crappies. They ate some walleye plus took home a few.
Jerry spent the night in california where he struggled to catch any fish. he did get a 19 inch walleye.
The hammer and I had dinner in old minnesota on a new spot. She was a little rusty and missed a couple fish plus lost a elusive crappie at the bottom of the hole. I got a fat 18 off the northland purple buckshot followed by a elusive 11 inch crappie on the rattle wheel. Just like that I was up on the hammer 2 nothing. She was not taking that and proceeded to land a fat healthy 14 plus elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. Then she landed 2 walleyes back-to-back plus lost another at the hole. We enjoyed a couple movies and called here quits around 10pm still marking fish.
With the wind howling and of course a little snow squall we plugged away yesterday. Putting montana ,north dakota, alaska , and utah on new spots. Today we need to move california and florida while we again battle nw winds. Plus I'm sure we will be doing some snow drift cleanup.
We also added a skid house to the fleet. It will sleep 3. It does have a oven with 4 burner stove at is open this weekend plus the rest of the season. I have not given it a state name yet but will soon.
Montana canceled next weekend. feb 4t 5th. beside the new skid house that sleeps 3 all of the houses are rented every friday saturday the rest of the season.
Time to do the books and track down another set of tire chains to finish out the season.
We did have Alaska and Utah with customers last night so will see how they did later today. Until then if you spend time here on upper red lake just remember as the old timer Dave told me "It's a grand lake that owes us nothing nothing!!
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With a slower week were hoping to have some time to regroup as it has been go go go. I sure enjoyed visiting customers these past few days.
We opened up a new area that has some potential. Jonny boy was scouting it out last night. It sure is nice having him spending nights on the lake as he can keep track of the times the fishing is best, worst, no good, good etc.
I do have to do list that keeps growing. Yesterday we were able to knock out a couple of things as we got montana and florida moved to new spots. Of course, the spots we plowed out for wheelhouses had some darn good fishing.
The elusive yet still catchable crappies were biting all over the lake the last few days. We have heard reports all over the place. Last year them 9, 10 inchers we were seeing are now 11 and 12 inches.
Old minnesota had jerry and his buddy. They rolled in late friday night. They had 2 keepers saturday morning when I swung in. They had some odd bait, so I had them go get some regular minnows. I 'm not sure how they finished as they were gone early sunday morning when I got out there at 630 am. I did notice some corn in the holes?
It was nice to see rick and matt they were in north dakota. Rick got a fat 15 plus crappie. They also landed 2 more elusive yet catchable upper red lake crappies. They took home 6 walleys,3 crappies, 5 perch plus threw quite a few smaller walleyes back. I have always said if you're getting small walleyes the crappies could be in the area as well as a roaming pike. We did not get to visit as Rick has a baby at home with some health issue, they are dealing with, so we wanted to be very careful.
Montanna had Mia and Randy, Randy was nice enough to pick up my new tire chains from fleet farm, I had to go there Saturday to drop off my generator for the second time, I also had to pay for the chains as when he picked them up, he did not pay. The manager was so nice that I told them as they had no clue. She gave me 20 percent off.
They had some good fishing with Mia releasing a 15-inch elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. They sent me a message how they had a wonderful time making many first experiences In there 28 years of marriage.
Florida had Jake his wife Katie athere 2 kids Otto and Sophia. They had some good action the first night with some misses. the second night was much slower. Jake did take the kids out exploring but did not have much luck. He did say he put on a show drilling holes...
Alaska had Will, Bill and the two boys, they had descent action. Bill had a giant of a pike on saturday night. It was quite the battle only to lose it after 30 minutes. They also caught some nice walleyes plus a few elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies landing 4 the last night. They enjoyed a fish fry plus took home some fish.
Utah had Allen they had a hoot landing 9 yes 9 elusive yet catchable upper red lake crappies with a few over 14. I think he said they only got 1 walleye. He did send me some pics but but have no idea how they were sent?
We also had kevin and his son fishing in the new skid house we acquired. They only landed a few keeper walleye's.
I still have not added it to our web site. It can sleep 3 has a 4-burner stove, oven. tv and dvd player. I think we will name it Alabama.
I did talk to Jake; he figured the bite was so good due to the new moon.
Glen was out there last night on a new spot. They only landed 3 keeper walleyes on a new spot.
Fred and Melisa are in California they have had good action. They leave today so we will see how they did last night.
We did get down to jrs for the firework show that the ice castle group put on. I heard there were over 400 ice castle registered. Another great fire work show, plus we had a fish fry at jrs that hit the spot. They sure have their fish fry dialed in.
It looks like another inch of snow is coming followed by more high winds. Mother nature sure is mad this year. Looking back though, she is really about normal as your always battle her on a "Grand lake that owes us nothing"
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Just like that its thursday.
Monday Fred and melissa packed up. They had action all 3 nights. I headed out later in the day to clean houses. Old minnesota was my first house. I decided since there were minnows in there, I should drop a rattle wheel line down. There must have been a pike resting under the house. The next thing you know I'm battling a pike hand over hand. After the third time she made a run taking all the line. I decided to quickly strip the line off another rattle wheel and tie that line on. The forth time I got to see her before she took another run. She peeled out the line again this time taking some of the extra line I had just tied on. I then laid the line down to get the gaff. No go the gaff was missing. I jumped into the car and drove over to north dakota to borrow the gaff in there. Arriving back to the shack I again started pulling her in. After one more short run I got here. I expected the state record? Nope just a nice 38 39 inch pike. Snapped two quick pic and released her to fight another day. Yesterday when we moved the house there was the missing gaff under the house.
Glen arrived Sunday afternoon with Margreet. They fished in montana and took home 5 walleyes monday morning. Bingo fished the same house after glen left. He landed his 4 before dark and headed home. Perfect with the snow and wind coming we would have no one on the lake for the next 3 nights. First time since the house hit the lake.
Jonny boy was putting new shocks on rusty trusty and giving her a oil change, The rear shocks looked quite rusty so jonny boy decided we should leave that can of worms alone for now.
We also got blue thunder oil changed.
Tuesday the winds were howling out there. I was so thankful we did not have to go out there.
Yesterday we paid for the day off as all the roads going north were completely blown in, with the drifts rock hard.
New roads had to be made to even get to the houses. Old minnesota was the worst of the bunch as there was only one way to even get to her. Alot of hand shoveling, ice chisel chipping followed by a repair on the runner we were able to pull her out of the hole she was sitting in from all the weight of the drifted snow. If the heat would not have been on she might have been frozen in.
Darrin also arrived to drop off another 3-person house. We now have two houses open for the remaining weekends.
I nick named the first one Alabama. I have not even had time to really look over the second house.
Today we will be setting up north dakota and Alaska for guest. Then get all the other houses ready for tomorrow.
I got bad news on my generator. They said I need to send it too dewalt, I bragged about how nice they were, I even purchased a third one this year.
We had to replace a broken cable on utah.
Darrin spent the night in Alabama last night, they had 3 crappie and one smaller walleye last night when I talked to them.
Mother nature decided she is not done. Waking up to minus 31 this morning. We will have another somewhat brutal day on the lake. It's still amazes me you can work up a sweat when its that cold out there.
Gotta go someones regulator quit so I need to see if we can help him.
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Been a super busy few days here on the shores and lake of upper red lake.
Of course, we again had to battle mother nature. Friday night into saturday eve, the snow kept floating down to earth. Of course, we had some wind to fill in all the driveways we had running east to west. The one good thing as it was not a crazy wind so we were able to just run the plow trucks through the powder and drifts around the houses..
had some crappy news about the dewalt generator. Fleet farm can not fix it . Turns out the generator is a genarac brand with a dewalt casing. The 800 number for dewalt promps you to some places to get it repaired. The catch is they will only work on generac not dewalt ? Wow just wow. The manager at fleetfarm is going to dig a little deeper, for now I'm out a generator.
Friday eve I was so worn out when I got our last customers checked in I was not able to go back out to make the rounds.
We had also set up a few wheel houses.
Friday eve the fishing was not that good. with all the houses on fresh spots I sure expected better fishing.
Saturday evening it did pick up for most so there was some good news.
Old minnesota had Justin and his crew. A big shout out to justin he sure left the house in immaculate condition. They ended up with a mixed bag of fish. 7 walleyes 1 crappie and a couple perch.
North dakota with Robert and his crew had at least 7 walleyes plus a couple they ate. 3 elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies a few perch plus the big bonus. Around 5 30 am Robert tagged into a monster pike. Everyone in the house had to get up to deal with the battle. She got every line down tangled up., Robert said they got some video that needs to be edited. He also said I need a tape measure in the house. They did land the fish as a team. A couple great pics and she was released to fight another day. It was well over 40 inches.
Montana had Joe Cindy and their grandson Jadden. They caught a few perch and a dozen walleyes. They enjoyed their stay I think it was Jadden's first ice fishing trip.
Florida had Rollie and Kevin, they drew a short straw and never got a fish the first night. This is a annul trip they have been making for years to Florida fish house. They did manage to get 4 or 5 keepers. What really surprised me was the house was about 50 yards from some fantastic fishing last weekend? All those elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies must of headed east as they sure did not come south west.
California had Brian and Will they had a livescope . Man, what a tool that can be. They had a few fish but they were gone sunday morning before I could talk to them.
Danny Jr and his crew drew the shortest of short straws. Danny said they never catch fish together he was not fibbing.
Utah had 3 guys I did not get to spend much time with. The first day I set them up on a spot witt here portable They landed 8 fish. Friday we got Utah set up for them to check in. They did end up catching more fish saturday eve then friday. Super nice guys that I'm embarrassed to say I cannot remember their names.
Just never got to spend much time with them. I know their trip was a Christmas present from one of their wife's.
Of course, Mike and Matt did pretty good in the wheelhouse. Taking home 10 walleyes 7 elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies and a few perch.
Pat and his buddy did all right. They were here again last night so yesterday we plowed them a new area to fish so we will see how they did this morning as again when I came off the lake last night, I was a bit tired. I hate to admit it, but my age is catching up to me. I'm not getting that second or third wind like I use to.
We also plowed out a spot for Jim turns out I use to play pool with him 25 odd years ago. They had better fishing saturday eve then friday.
Yesterday we moved 3 house's before 3 as we had 3 crews coming in. I will see how they all did this morning.
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Seems like you are getting more crappies these days Cookie. You and Dotch make me tired with your overworked days. Be careful out there.
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We discovered these guys last year https://www.clearbrookelectric.com/ when we had trouble with our generator, Cookie. Fast, excellent service. My brother was so impressed he bought a service contract with them. They fixed ours, gave it a tune up all within 5 hours of when we 1st called. The guy that was here does generators & that's all. Their add says they service all makes. You may want to give 'em a call if you aren't satisfied with what FF says. I'm not sure but it looks to me like they may be just as close to you as they are to us.
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I should add that 1 reason we got service so quickly could've been that he was already on a call ~ 30 miles away, near Bena, where the client was a no-show.
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The weather gods sure seem to be mad at us here on the shores of upper red lake. Tuesday with the temps above freezing as a slight mist started early afternoon turning into a freezing rain. The perfect storm. It seemed the ice rain would settle down the top layers of snow from blowing. No not to be. Waking up to 2 to 3 inches of powder snow the winds again picked up blowing all that lite snow across the now frozen layer of snowpack. We battled white out conditions all day. Again, all the roads were blowing shut.
So yesterday started off early on the lake as we had 2 houses rented for the day. I also had 3 groups that would be leaving in white out conditions. Then checking in Norm, Paul and Bob. Our friend Darrin is up fishing, so he jumped in to help us as we had to get down are 6 mile road to get 3 houses out of there. I cleaned and prepped florida and montana for their moves as Jonny boy made a couple new driveways for them. Now were facing another batch of snow followed by more high winds out of the nw. I have heard that some of the resorts may close the access for wheelhouses if the winds get too nasty.
Now a short fishing report.
Florida had Nick and his dad Chris. They did go home with 8 fish plus had a couple to eat the first night.
Bev and Mark and there 2 dogs Misty and Walker were in montana they also ate some fish and took a couple home.
The crew in alaska were here 3 nights form oklahoma. They had action, ate a few fish plus took a few home. They also landed a couple elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies.
Dennis and his crew were in north dakota sunday monday. They landed 8 elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie's plus a few walleyes.
Jen and the girls fished california in a new spot monday. They fished just for the evening taking home 7.
Today we are quite busy again as we move more houses plus check in customers plus battle mother nature. New roads will have to be planned and made as the weekend approaches.
I'll try my no snow snow dance, but it seems to of lost some of it ju ju.
Time to check the fluids, look over the trucks on such a grand lake that owes us nothing.
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I think you used up to much of your ju ju last winter and the snow gods know. ;) :rotflmao:
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Man oh man did that last storm pack a punch. Most of the resorts lost reservation this past weekend as again mother nature showed us she is the boss. I had Norm, Bob and Paul arrive wednesday for caifornia. Friday morning they were staying a little later than expected as the road was completely gone.
Thursday as the snow started it came with a very strong wind. Jonny boy, I and Darrin were out trying to get all the houses moved. After digging out old minnesota and North dakota getting them out of there spots onto our main road it became impossible to see to plow new driveways for the houses. We made the decision that we would have to abandon ship.
I had marked our road with tree branches. We decided the best thing to do was follow each other off the lake. The guys staying in alaska from Oklahoma had gotten to shore in just the nick of time. They had a grand time, caught some fish, ate like kings. As we worked our way back to shore at times you could not see 10 feet in front of you. Safley back to shore the snow started to taper off giving jonny boy just enough time to gather some supplies and head back onto the lake as Lori and her crew were here for monatana. Jonnys plan was to stay out there with Darrin. There would be no doing the rounds thursday night.
As the winds changed directions, she picked up to well over 30 mph with even higher gusts. Jonny boy and Buddy hillman tried to save the road by plowing well into the night. They thought they may have saved the main road
Friday morning was a no go getting on the lake. No one would be going out or coming in until the winds subsided.
I had to call all our customers and give them the bad news. Tanners crew were scheduled for 3 nights so I let them know we could possibly have the houses ready saturday by 2.
Dane and Sarah were going to stay in our cabin friday night. The winds were going to subside in the evening. Darrin was able to come off the lake with jonny boy plowing over to Norm to get them off the lake around 3. All the work thursday night had saved some of the road but not enough to get fisherman out onto the lake. Buddy Hillman was out on the lake with his tractor and snowblower working his way through the mess. Gregg was running his v plow. Jonny and I headed out about 630 pm to move four houses in the dark. She was minus 20 with a full moon as we worked well into the night getting done about 11pm. I went to plow some on Buddy Hillmans Road while jonny boy set up Dane and Sarah in north dakota. I rolled in around 1 am beat tired. 7an came awful early as jonny boy and I had to get all the houses prepped augured, heat on for Tanners crew.
Loris crew in montana hammered the fish friday catching fish all day. saturday was just the opposite as they would not bite. They headed home yesterday with 16 plus they ate fish one night. They are already planning on another trip next year. I think that will be there third year,
I'll see how Tanners crew did later today. They have been catching some fish.
Sarah and Dane went home with 7 from north dakota.
California and Florida set empty all weekend.
Utah canceled for next weekend Feb 18 19th
Wow what a week I think we also have another round of weather coming mid week.
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Another week of mother nature has worn me out. Being 62 does not help.
Trying to keep track of the past week has been tough. With the impending snow and winds predicted we had to decide if our best move would be to get the fleet closer to the main road. At least this way we would be able to get to our customers if any problems arose. I would say last thursday may have been one of the hardest days I have had on the lake when it comes to moving houses. We moved 9 houses. The weatherman was right on the money with the snows and winds. Friday the access was closed to wheelhouses. We were able to get our customers checked in. With our house spread out from 2 miles to 5 i expected some good fishing could be had from at least some of the house. Saturday we spent the better part of the day moving 4-foot drifts away from the houses and reopening all the driveways as they were completely filled in.
Utah with Andy, Doug and John had the best fishing of the fleet. That house was out about 2 miles out, Super nice guys. They were happy to go home with 9 fish plus they did eat a few .
Florida and Montana were out closer to 5 miles with a few fish caught both nights.
Old minnesota and North dakota were not rented tell saturday.
I sure expected better fishing in those spots only to be disappointed. Wayne and Paul headed home with 5 walleyes 3 perch and a pike.
Alaska had Fred, Melisa and there 2 friends they did also get some fish but again nothing to brag about.
Today we have a flat tire to deal with, an alternator that going out plus a couple houses that need to be moved.
Wish us luck as we try to finish off strong here on the shore of upper red lake that owes us nothing
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My guess is mother nature took a good look around the lake and found some snow she had not blown around, so yesterday a north north east wind put a nice chill in the air and again drifted in the main road to the point of needing plowing most of the main road again. Our driveways at least did not fill in but there are some drifts to knock down.
I have never really counted down the days tell the season ends but this year with the amount of snow on the lake I have caught myself counting them down. 4 nights to go 5 if you count sunday night.
With predicted light and variable winds today and tomorrow Jonny boy and I may be lost out there.
The hammer and I decided we would get in another night of fishing and have dinner out there. I got her set up first. she missed her first fish of many within ten minutes. It was quite comical as I tried to get my set up, she kept losing fish or missing them. Every time I was threading my line on the jig she would have a fish on. I would drop what I was doing go pull her vex line up only to have her lose another fish. A couple of them may have been keepers but we will never know. She commented there were all sorts of fish down there as I turned on my vex only to have her batterie die within seconds of me getting my line down. I set her up with mine so we could put a charge on hers.
Now it was time to start dinner, so my fishing was done. dinner turned out ok with fish, Brockley, and noodles.
The hammer did land 3 fish but there were just little scuffits. One may have been pushing 15. After dinner we fished for a little longer then decided to pack up as I was beat. Packing up is a big chore also. Coming in we had made the right decision of bringing red rusty trusty as we would never of made it in with the car.
Brian and Stacy have been in florida we checked them in tuesday, this is there tenth year staying with us on the anniversary. They did all right the first night getting a 18, 16, and 15-inch walleye,6 keeper perch, and 1 very elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. Stacy had commented she sure would like to catch one. She was rewarded with a nice 14 incher.
Jake was also up sunday , monday. He helped Jonny boy and I move a couple of the houses. They caught enough to have a fish fry at westwinds monday eve, Jake and Gabrial just love the way they do their fish there plus Gabrial always has a bowl of westwind famous wild rice soup.
Tyler also came in with his 2 boys, we had plowed them a spot and they had 6 fish to eat. They also headed home yesterday with at least 5 more they caught yesterday.
I also set up mike and his two buddy's in north dakota so we will see how they did today. They were only staying the one night.
Of course, we have another busy day as montana and old minnesota have guest coming today as well as setting up Darrin's 2 houses for his cousins. Friday will be busy as old minnesota and montana will need to be moved and reset plus, I be leave we have a couple wheelhouses coming. With all the snow they are basically getting a driveway off the main road.
The final weekend we have 5 of the seven houses with repeat customers, just the way I like it on a grand lake that owes us nothing.
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not sure about you cookie......but i'm thinking ALOT of these resort owners that plow roads and maintain a fleet are going to glad when the season finally ends...... at least int he back of there mind anyway.....
from what i read its been one tough year on the ice for you guys!!!!!!!
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Cookie, PM sent
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Every year is different here on the shores of upper red lake. This year was no exception. It sure seemed we would get just enough snow every week followed by huge winds from two to 3 different directions. Followed by bone chilling cold to battle. It only takes a small dusting of snow with high winds to create 3-foot drifts around every snowbank and object out there. The red baron never got to see the ice this year as the electrical problem never got solved.
The red chevy rusty trusty had to do all the trail blazing. Blue thunder was my daily driver as black beauty is still waiting for a used transmission to be installed. The red baron has always been our back up truck for moving the houses.
I babied the hell out of blue thunder this year. She had a few hiccups but being a chevy she has heald up pretty well this year. Knock on wood as she still has plenty of work to do as I slowly bring the fleet close to shore for now.
Old minnesota will be the last one to come in so I can relax and do a little fishing as I try to land an elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie.
Last night our fucus was on getting at least one more walleye dinner. The hammer came through after a few lost fish with a fat 17 incher. I followed up also after a few misses and lost fish with another just over 17. We pulled the plug after watching 2 movies and having a grilled cheese and soup for dinner. Jonny boy stayed out there just in case a elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie swims by.
The fishing report from the past few days is not anything like last year's last weekend of game fish season.
We had a nice area all scouted out that was very fishy. The houses were way spread out. The cookie shuffle was done on a couple houses that had done pretty good last week while the other houses were placed into new un fished areas.
Montana and old minnesota had Butch' s crew wednesday thursday. The first night montana got 9 walleyes. while old minnesota got a 14-inch elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie and only a couple walleyes. Old minnesota got another 14 inch crappie thursday night. Monatana only got a few mor walleyes. Friday we had to move 3 houses for a turnover. Montana had alisa and her guy she also landed a elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. another 14 incher to boot. They also landed a few walleyes with one over 22 inches.
Florida had Tony and Tela They did get a 33 inch pike out of that house and a few smaller walleyes. Sounds like both couples would like to come back next year.
Alaska Had joe,chris,rock and Zack. They have been coming for years. Jonny boy use to work with them many moons ago. They did not pound the fish but Joe said the good time they had made up for it. He said nobody on the lake had as much fun as them. They did get enough fish for a fish fry at jrs saturday afternoon.
Utah had Jarred his brother and friend. Jarrod has been here a few times. They only managed to get 4 nice keeper walleyes plus a few smaller ones. Jarrod said they plan on coming again next year.
Old minnesota and Todd, Danny and Drake they only took home 4 or5 keepers. Drake is 4 but still remembers me eating a minnow last year. Danny is a nephew of ours.
Northh dakota had Jim his boy and son inlaw. They had a few fish also but nothing to brag about. They were here last year also the last weekend, so they have got to see the good with the bad in there two trips.
california had by far the best fishing. Tammy, Bob and Tony. They ate fish plus also took home there 3 limits. They want to come up this summer and stay in one of our cabins. They also were repeat customers.
We also plowed a few driveways for wheelhouses. Nicks house land 8 elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies.
Presstons house got a elusive 14 inch upper red lake crappie. plus a few walleyes.
Rods house did so bad friday night we plowed them a new area where they managed to get 5 keepers plus a pike.The few other wheelhouses I'm not sure how they did.
Lonnie's crew of 5 wheelhouses did pretty well I believe, they were the closest houses towards shore to boot. The hammer and I spent some time with them saturday night, Lonnie and Lisa have become pretty good friends over the years. Lisa even got a elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie.
Hillmans had the band the crappie floppers but we missed out this year. Its just a group of guys that jam together once a year at hillmans. Last year I played harmonica with them for one tune, so much fun.
Jonny boy is going down to florida this week for a must deserved vacation. He sure has come into his own up here in god's country. As parents kellie aka the hammer and I cannot be any prouder how he has stepped up and helped us get through these tough winters as we are not getting any younger.
My plan this week is to just plug away and dig out the last 5 houses. I'll pull one in every time I come to shore this week. If I find a couple elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies all the better. We might have a guest this coming sunday depending on mother nature.
To all our new and old customers be leave me with all my heart you all keep me going. Thank you so much. As I get older its harder to make the rounds after a day working on the lake. After dinner I'm spent. This year at least 2 to 3 days a week was dedicated to fighting mother nature. Gotta go for now
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I see it as been quite a while since I have written any fishing reports.
The summer has just screamed by this year. The fishing on this grand lake was very good throughout the summer. The water level was high all year causing quite a bit of erosion done on our lake shore. Plus, when we get higher winds out of the southwest the water floods the whole yard down there.
We added another wheelhouse this year nick named Colorado. I should of some details and pics on our web site later this week.
Jonny boy took a new job this summer so he will not be working on the lake with me every day. He does plan to still help out as much as possible so that's a good thing as my age is catching up to me. I 'm looking for a full-time helper so if anyone has any interest give me a shout. I do have some help from good friends when they are available, but they will be on their schedule not mine. I have a plan in my head so will see how that pans out.
Jonny boy and Dan are going to get the used tranny put in black beauty,
so, I have a lake truck for hauling propane and other supplies on and off the lake.
I have started inventory on the other houses plus started some cleaning. The red baron is back home after being down all last winter. I love that truck so crossing my fingers she stays running this winter. Blue thunder will, need some tlc the next few weeks. Our other red chevy Big Red seems to be running rough so I have to try and figure that out?
Working at the golf course Oak Harbor this summer we had quite a bit of damage from the high water up on the rainy river as it flooded part of the golf course most of the summer. The water has finally receded but there is quite a bit of work to do up there to get here back in shape.
I'm all most positive that we will be battling mother nature again this year. Be nice if the winds are a little kinder this year.
I was going to hook up with my old friend the Greek last week but plans changed as he had to get down to naples florida to take care of the damage at his place plus try and help the community in is neighborhood.
I have a pretty big to do list to get started on now that I'm done at the golf course. I'm hoping I can try and bow hunt again this year but we shall see.
We also may have to adjust our prices just a bit,
I will decide on that in the next few weeks.
Stay tuned as the countdown starts for another ice fishing season on a grand lake that owes us nothing
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I really enjoy reading what you go through in a day/ weekend cookie during the hard water season, good lord not sure I could do it or convince others to help. Ever thought of selling while the Lake is still doing good ? That's your chance to sit back , heal and let the Lake gives back what it owes you..
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I really enjoy reading what you go through in a day/ weekend cookie during the hard water season, good lord not sure I could do it or convince others to help. Ever thought of selling while the Lake is still doing good ? That's your chance to sit back , heal and let the Lake gives back what it owes you..
:scratch: you looking to buy?? :sleazy: :rotflmao:
I too really enjoy reading the trials and tribulations cookie endures!!👍
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I enjoy reading about the trials and tribulations that you go through. A few years ago I would have been all over helping you. It's an adventure and a tough thing to do. I couldn't handle that anymore. Bobb had a good idea earlier. You may have a gold mine there. Even a silver mine or even a copper mine may be a windfall. You aren't as young as you were neither.
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Well most the time it's deep in your blood and tough to give up!👍 I really admire guys like cookie!
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well thanks guys. the old back is wearing out so its a very big concern at this point. As far as gold mine not sure about that. 5 old trucks, couple plows ,couple fish houses. I always said this was my retirement. never thought what happens when im to worn out oops :confused:
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Mayhaps an annual lease for someone to take it over so you keep getting money annually. ??? You do what is good for you Cookie.
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good luck cookie......
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Well that countdown went fast. From the looks of it plus reports from others that have walked out onto the lake, everything looks like a go buy this friday. I myself do not care for the early ice. Our friend Ben was out saturday down towards the south end of the lake. He was out maybe 1\4 mile. There is some piled up ice where the winds just pounded the ice into a 20-foot-high pile. He was standing close to open water. I would say it was the size of a big truck. just a round open hole of ice. Not sure why it's like that. Once that glazes over you talking maybe one inch of ice. Then throw a layer of snow over that and now you have unsafe ice right next to 4 or 5 inches. I told him to ping that spot.
Most years the first time i'm on the lake as when I can drive bluethunder. The lake was not looking so well last weeks. It seemed we got an inch or two of snow every day. The shoreline was showing some slush. The winds came back in a fury friday with the coldest temps of the season. Saturday morning, I expected the worse only to my surprise 80 percent of the snow was gone. Quite a bit ended up on our shoreline and into the woods. Our property seems to have a vortex or something. I get 3 feet of drifted snow and the neighbor to the north get hardly any?
Not sure what hillmans is charging this year for an access fee, they did post they were opening up to walking starting thursday.
I have been plugging away. The boys did get the tranny in black beauty, sure nice having a comfortable warm truck to drive this year.
Bluethunder got a small workout yesterday as I cleaned up down at the lake. The red baron blew a upper radiator hose. being a 88 were still waiting on a new hose. I spose if you're working on a hot rod you would just take some measurement then look at the Autopart's store for something that would work.
Jonny boy and I got the window back up on big red.
I've gotten all the houses detailed with the heaters on. I have an inventory list. I sure wonder where all the steak knives go
The hammer and I will be heading down to the cites for thanksgiving while jonny boy and Dan hold down the fort? Now tha most of the resort will be opening up to walking the phone calls will start trickling in when do you think we can take out wheelers or sleds.
The winds were howling down there last night. Old mother nature sure can be brutal.
Rick and Bob were here for 9 days of hunting. They saw some deer this year but never got a good shot. Bob got a great pic of a buck walking by his trail cam around 7 40 am. He was hunting a different stand south of town when his phone sent him the pic. I still think it was funny.
Jonny boy and Dan also got the new carpet in old minnesota. They said they may be able to knock out north dakota thankgiving day. Time to hit the bricks, I imagine the next report I write will have a fishing report of a grand lake that owes us nothing
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thanks Cookie... Happy Thanksgiving!
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The sunday night winds I mentioned on my last report created a little surprise yesterday morning. The was a crack in front of the beach about 100 yards out that followed the shoreline south until just after hillman's them peeling away to the southwest. Somewhere to east is a big chunk of open yes open water. The ice piled up with one spot in front of Frank and Janas place close to 15 20 feet high. There's slabs of ice 4to 5 inches thick piled on top of ice. Buddy Hillmans of Hillmans resort said some places it could be 3 or 4 layers of ice making it 20 inches thick. In front of their place there are a few openings, so it looks like we will not have to make an opening through it. When we pull our houses out of the woods we will have to find a route to bring the houses to Hillmans highway. Buddy had his stakes out about a 1/2 mile. The ice sheet moved them to northeast a bit. I imagine he will redo them, so his road is running straight out.
There were a few fishermen out, not sure how they did. It looked like they were out in about 9 feet of water. Sounds like there were also a few fisher people down to the south also. Some fishing in 7 feet of water the others in 9 feet.
Just as always as soon as the resort said they were going to open up to walking I get the calls. When will they let wheelers and sleds out? It so funny, once the give the green light for wheelers then the phones will start ringing again. When are they letting single axle houses out. I think they should call mother nature. I do not have her number though.
Over did it Sunday getting things ready, so I was a little sore yesterday, my back has worn out, I did have it looked at, MRI they said I have narrowing of the spine? plus the other few issues that were already there. The plan at this point is keep plugging away. Any help I have this year will be doing most of the grunt work, one thing I am trying to do is not have as many houses rented on Wednesdays. Also giving 110 percent is totally out of the question. Being a grunt, my hole working career has taken its toll. I'm sure all the golf working at golf courses have not helped. Although I never had much pain swinging the golf club just practicing putting and chipping had always been an issue.
As most should Know the limit for the winter is 3 fish 2 under 17 and the third any size. I had a spot two years ago I really liked so I hope I can get the houses to that area.
Heading to Blackduck and Bemidji, this morning. Crossing my fingers, I got the right radiator hose ordered for the red baron. If not going to see if I can find one similar. I imagine if you're building a hot rod that what they do.
I got 5 of the 6 generators running. One will not fire. I think it might have super bad gas as it does have good spark. The small engine repair shop charges 80 an hour. That sounds like a pretty good gig.
The hammer took a new job and does not work at the cenox gas station anymore. It was a good run. 17 years, Hindsight is always 20 20 we should have looked into buying it when it went up for sale. My thought was I do not want to have to do all the grunt work, waxing floors, cleaning minnow tanks, changing lightbulbs, painting etc. Again, hindsight maybe we could have hired people to do that work.
Time to warm up the car, we did get another 1/4 inch of snow. Hope that pattern stops.
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:happy1: :happy1: its great seeing your reports again sir!!!!!!!!! :bow: :bow:
just keep boar away from moving parts......things wont break then!!!!! :sleazy: :evil: :happy1: :rotflmao:
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I hope yu freeze yur trigger finger off next year....oh wait yu quit to early
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I hope yu freeze yur trigger finger off next year....oh wait yu quit to early
:rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :mooning: :mooning: :mooning: :mooning: :mooning:
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Each day we are getting closer to crunch time here on the shore of upper red lake.
We had some excitement here yesterday as the winds pushed the ice sheet opening up a wide crack down towards the south shore.
Jrs. resort got a bridge out to a spot so as far as I know all the fisher people were able to safely get across.
Last night the winds were howling out of the southwest so once it gets light out, I imagine all the resorts will be sending someone out on the ice to see what she looks like before they give the green light to go out today.
I keep hearing 3 to 7 inches of ice? I still have not gone out as again I'm in no hurry. I like to wait tell I can drive blue thunder on the lake.
I have seen quite a few pics of open water spots on the lake. She is a big lake so without flying over who know where they all could be. Once we get a good cold snap and calm winds those spots will glaze over. So, you could be checking ice that goes from 6 inches to 1 inch.? That is the reason the resort have to hold off letting machines on the ice as once there's a green light, they may end up going all most any ware.
We do have a full house this weekend with guys staying in the houses on shore. It's a good way to start the season to work out any details before the houses hit the lake.
We plan on going out of Hillmans resort again this year.
As I get older my memory seems to be slipping a bit, so I would ask all bare with me this year.
Both the red trucks still need to be driven around a bit to work out and bugs. Will get the plows on them once the houses come out of the woods. At this time, I think we're looking around the third weekend Dec. 18th possibly to get out on the lake. Mother nature will be making that decision for us.
We were not home over the holiday, but it sounds like she was pretty busy out there Saturday, with quite a few fish leaving the lake. I did see quite a few pics of the elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies. Today I have some errands to run so I'll know more about the lake conditions when I get back home.
The books are starting to fill in a bit more but there's still plenty of houses open throughout the season. Christmas to new year's is pretty much full. Gotta hit the road now as it is getting light out.
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I'am not ready to battle mother nature, A dusting of snow tuesday night followed by 30 mph winds basically packed 4 feet of snow down on our lake shore in front of the houses. ERRRR. Blue thunder got its first good workout yesterday when i got home from a trip to Bemidji. I spent close to 3 hours plowing snow. I got stuck twice, where I had to dig out with the number 2 shovel. I still have some more to do today but was able to get done around 8 30 just before we had a few guests arrive., I did drive onto the lake about 100 yards . We have a few extra guest camping down there this weekend so they will be on the lake shore on ice.
Wow the crack down at JRs sure made the news as the story keeps getting crazier. Had a guy call today that wanted to know how many houses went down? The national news said 200 fishermen were stranded floating on an iceberg.
The guest we had down there tuesday all left a day early as those winds were wicked. 4 groups of 2 and 3 guys. The best figured they got 20 fish, the others were poor 1, 1, 3, with a few lookers.
Still do not have a full-time helper this year, I do have help here and there, but she is going to take some extra planning this year, then throw in mother nature. This may be the most challenging year I'll ever have. I'll take all the prayers people want to dish out. Time to get dressed for outside. I have plenty to do on a grand lake that owes us nothing.
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Hang tough cookie! The good lord will see you thru.
Ill be around alot so if ya need a hand here and ther, ill be ther for ya!!
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I am not as excited as I usually am for ice fishing neither. It will hit me eventually.
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Hang tough cookie! The good lord will see you thru.
Ill be around alot so if ya need a hand here and ther, ill be ther for ya!!
:doofus: :crazy: :doah: oh thats encouraging news!!!!!!!!!!!!! :bonk: :bonk: :surrender: :banghead: :laughroll:
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I am not as excited as I usually am for ice fishing neither. It will hit me eventually.
Same here.
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I would say here on our end the fishing was good, bad and ugly.
from the guys we had here. One group that walked straight out to 11 feet of water figured they landed 40 friday with siver being the hot lure color, saturday they wanted nothing too do with jigging and hit just the set lines.
Jonny boy was giving rides out to a area he fished last year plus he fished the first day out there. One of the guys got a elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie a fat 15 incher. They were fishing in 8 feet of water. Jonny also came in with 3 nice keepers, so the hammer and I had fresh fish for dinner, One of the group went out of beacon harbor. they did pretty good the first day the next day they went out from hillmans, then saturday they went back to beacons.
The guys in utah walked out of hillmans friday, they caught just a few. I worried about the into the evening as a squall of snow came through with some strong winds, they finally came in,they had some heater problems, they only had a mini sunflower to stay warm. With the temps dropping and the wind blowing I was shocked that they stayed out there that long. I had them come up to the garage and we got their other heater going as it had a bad connection.
The guys in Minnesota were cleaning fish the first night.
There were alot a lot of bigger walleyes getting caught all around the lake, I have been seeing on the web. I'm quite surprised were seeing these size fish, anywhere from 25 to 28 inch walleyes.
I also saw a local that had a pic of steam coming off the lake around sunset friday night. Sounds like it was out towards the end of big reef. Once Ii can drive on the lake I will not be driving anywhere near that area.
Beacon Harbors guys posted a couple thin ice signs to the left of their place. Maybe in 9 to 10 feet of water.
Have to make it short today as I need to get the cabin ready for guest coming in this afternoon. If you come up listen carefully to the resorts as they have been checking ice everyday.
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Mother nature has put a hold on getting the houses on the lake in fishy water. I do plan on going out with jonny boys razor today. I'll look around, punch a few holes, measure the ice myself. It would be nice to get them on the lake before the next batch of snow drifts on our lake shore. With possible snow starting wednesday mother nature has the upper hand which is nothing new.
We did have quite a few fishermen here the past weekend with no one getting skunked.
Jason had melissa, barb and Allisa? Melissa was able to land a elusive yet still catchable over 14-inch crappie to get her master pin from the club the girls belong to. She was pretty excited. They all did well and took home a few walleyes. Melissa had to release her crappie to earn her pin I be leave; Jason used Jonnyboys' razor to haul the girls and gear.
Old minnesota had Rick and his buddy, they went down to jrs both days and were happy with the fishing.
Ozzie and his buddy fished some cribs, they did really well the first 2 days, yesterday was a bit slower though.
I never got to visit Patrick and his buddy as they were not at the shack the few times, I swung in to grab the garbage, I know they did have a wheeler issue but were able to clean the spark plug good enough to get it running.
Bob plus his crew had colorado plus 3 ice castles staying out in front of our place. They had a huge fish fry friday night..
I did play one game of cribbage with Jason and the guys in the cabin. We played red dog which they had never played. Jason and i won as they landed in the stink hole on their last count.
Boar his wife Lorie also camped down on the lake shore. Boar said the fishing was outstanding.
Never heard how Mason and Logan did.
Again facebook was lit up with pics of fisherman catching out of all the resorts. No clue why we're seeing so many crappies. I guess there hungry. All those 10 and 11 inchers we have been letting go seem to be pushing into the 12s now.
Up here on our end there is a pressure ridge out 1/4 mile to 1/2 mile that westwind plus Hillmans had to bridge.. Westwind battled the pressure ridge as the warm temps caused it to expand and sink a bit.
I be leave most of the resorts are in a holding pattern until this snow comes in and then we get a nice string of cold weather again. There all different though so checking with the resorts that you plan on going out will be your best info. the next few days.
Jonny boy will be up helping now for a few weeks which is huge for us. So far, I have been able to clean all the houses. plus yesterday I took north dakota off it blocks so I can jack up the houses at this time. Digging and moving them all on a daily basest may be different story.
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I did take the razor out on the lake yesterday to measure some ice . The least I found was just under 12 inches. The most was just over 14. I also checked out the pressure ridge that have bridges. The pressure ridge starts really close to shore south of westwinds.
It does sound like most of the resorts are not going to let any wheelhouses on the lake until after this storm system passes through. The weather pattern keeps changing day to day. Now its saying some snow every day tell saturday.
I think we should be able to start moving the houses out of the woods sunday, then get them all over to Hillmans resort as that's where we go out of.
Not sure how the guys down on the lakeshore have been doing. They take off today. we now have a couple houses on shore that have opened up do to the weather. The guys also canceled the cabin.
Our longtime friend Kirk is out on the lake. Jonny boy was heading out to wet a line with him.
I'm still plugging away got a new list started so that will keep me busy. The whole fleet of trucks have some kind of repair.
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Well I would say its official we now have all the houses on the lake in fishable water out of Hillmans resort here in Waskish.
With Jonny boy, Darrin and Daves help we were able to dig all the houses out of the woods, cut a trail to hillmans road, cut another road to the north. Then bring all the shacks out to a fishy area. Darrin pre fished the area and did have some action with some real good action around 1am.
We did have a full house this weekend. everyone went to different resorts with a couple fishing straight out from our place.
The crew in the cabin had sleds and were on a mission to fish a certain area they fish every year. I did talk to them briefly, they said they caught fish with a few elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies.
Travis and Jim were first time guests. they were here since tuesday so they had quite the adventures as they fished throughout the two snowfalls we had. I would say we got a total of 14 inches of wet heavy snow. Mother nature just never lets up. They did find one slushy area where they buried their wheeler. It was very close to shore, more than likely where bull rushes were growing. They caught fish with some days better then others.
Sean and Carter stayed in montana, they headed down to jrs as thats where Sean was most familiar with. It was a tough bite the first day. I did not get to find out how they did the second day as they were gone in the morning.
Bob his son Noel plus there two friends stayed in Colorado the boys went out from our place friday eve, They did have some action but only landed a couple.
Steave and his buddy stayed in old minnesota just for one night. They were headed over to beacon harbor yesterday. They also fished straight out from our place and caught a few after dark.
Lared and his 2 buddies were in california. I had to call them yesterday to tell them there sleeping quarters were now out on the lake. That was quite a surprise for them. I got them out there after dark so we will see how they did in a bit. just talked to the guys they got 7
Darrin also moved to a new area and had a couple when I talked to him last night. Utah set empty as well as florida.
The snow on the lake will make cross country travel pretty tough. Flooding will also accrue when you auger holes.
Hillmans has a bridge over a active pressure ridge about 1/2 mile out. I'll know more about what Buddy Hillman will be allowing out later today. I did here that Buddy Haillman has some rentals still available for the season on a grand lake that owes us nothing, The store number is 218 647 6504
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Of course, the first thing on my mind is to say Merry Christmas to all our friends, family and customers on such a glorious day.
I'll start with a small fishing report from this past week. We were able to have a few guests in our sleepers as day houses before another round of mother nature showing us, she is the one in control. We had a group of 6 that called out of the blue as the arrangements they had made had fallen through.. John and his crew used florida and montana for the day. They only got a few fish with one or 2 21 inchers.. John did have a pandemonic and were seeing fish all day but trying to entice them to bite was tough. They packed it in about a hour after dark.
Robert and his 2 buddies fished old minnesota. They managed 3 nice solid fish, Robert said they had to leave just as the bite was picking up. I headed out to turn the heat off and gather the generators.
Lonnie Adam and Greg came up for the day, they fished old minnesota on wednesday. Adam did land a 32 inch pike. They also caught a couple smaller walleyes
Every year things are different yet are the same. This grand lake freezes, cracks, moves before she settles down a bit. I would say we had close to 11 inches of ice before we got our first wet heavy snow close to 7 inches followed by another 6 or 7 more. This slowed down the ice making. It also caused quite a bit of extra work on all the equipment and resort plans around the lake.
Now getting back to this week when everyone was making their decision what to do. Again, mother nature decided let's throw in some lite snow followed by high winds for 3 days. Mys well fill in all the ice roads, cause some big drifts around the houses and customers vehicles on the lake.
We had a repeat group of customers coming in friday afternoon, so Jonny boy and I were out in all most white out conditions getting 3 houses ready for their arrival. Once we had them all checked in Jonny boy got working on the red baron again as she still would not run right, and we would be needing that big v plow asap .
We decided it had to be the fuel pump so the gas tank would need to come off. I had a fuel pump that was a little bit shorter but maybe it would work. Working under a old parachute with the torpedo heater and temps below - 10 somehow jonny boy was able to accomplish such a feat out in the driveway. I was surprised to see how much crud was in the tank with what gas was in there broken down. That had to be the culprit. He also found 2 wires that were in need of repair.
Once we got some gas back in her jonny boy fired her up. She revved up fine. we warmed her up and jonny boy took her out just in time to run her down the off-shoot road to our houses which was now completely blown in. One pass down and back and again the red baron coughed and sputtered. At least we now knew it was a fuel delivery problem.
Jonny boy headed home for the night, and we would again tackle it in the morning. I got the dreaded call around 1 am that one of the furnaces in colorado were not working. Once I got out there Rob and I were able to figure it out and get some heat going again. The regulator is freezing up. She will need a new one.
Now this is becoming a long read. We got a new inline fuel filter, plus another new pump that was the right one. Again, the inline filter seemed to clear it up but after one pass yesterday on Hillmans main road she sputters again. Jonny boy dropped the tank again, replaced the pump and filter. As I helped button up the tank jonny boy said if this did not work maybe we should put her in the burn pile. She fired up and for the next 3 hours into the dark Jonny boy helped buddy Hillman reopen the main road out to 2 miles any way. Let's not forget the red baron also came in with a flat rear tire so that needs to be addressed asap.
I spent most of yesterday in blue thunder cleaning up all the drifting around the houses. I did Spend a little time with our guest which are some of the nicest people you could ever meet, they even have grama out there. They also invited me for their shrimp boil. I love shrimp but I had already planned dinner with the hammer so I did not make it out there. They were up to 11 fish I be leave with a few misses thrown in plus one big fish that got off.
I'm headed out there in a bit to say good morning and let them know the main road is open if they need to come to shore. The winds finely layed down, so we have a day and a half to prep everything for the week ahead.
I would say most of the resorts are either open or opening tomorrow morning. Off road travel with a wheelhouse would more than likely be impossible as the winds have drifted the snow and packed it hard enough you can walk on top of it. The old v plow will be huge this year.
This Christmas I'm so thankful jonny boy is here to help his old man the first part of the season, then I have friends, family and possibly a couple part time people that will be helping me on such a grand lake that owes us nothing.
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Monday is quite a blur as it was a 14-hour day counting a 6-hour trip to Bemidji to purchase another generator drop another off for repair. Seem' s this year my generators want to throw me fits so if you own one and are coming it would not hurt to bring it as a backup.
I did get out to say goodbye to shelly, bob and their crew. Like always the fishing could have been better but they had a grand time and plan on coming back next year. Shelly was telling me they are going to Africa hunting, how's that for something on a bucket list. Such a nice family I already look forward to seeing them again next year. Bob sure like to ice fish. as well as fish and hunt in general.
Yesterday with Jonny boy, Jake, Darrin and his boy Joe we made the plan to move all 8 houses just a little further west to get all the houses on a fresh area. We did have a few hick ups, Blue thunder straight blade plow seems to have a bad connection, so Darrin did most of the banking with his plow truck. I have to take our flat tire to get repaired today plus go to Bemidji again to pick up new power cables for blue thunders plow.
The red baron had a hick up towards the end of the day. At this time, it cleared itself up but was flooding itself for a bit. Fuel pressure in throttle body?
No clue what's going on with the generators, I had changed all the oil on them just a week ago. We had some bad gas one year and they all crashed within hours of each other, but I do not think that's the problem.
We have Kara and Jeff staying in florida, they brought sleds for some portable fishing. The best fishing reports I have heard are the fisherman fishing miles away from all the traffic on the lake now. Kara jumped in upon their arrival and cleaned a couple of the houses for me. Another great couple of people. One of the perks of this work is all the nice people you get to meet throughout the season. Once we can get things find tuned and running like a well-oiled machine, I'm hoping to visit a little more with old and new customers.
Yesterday was a little comical at times as we had 4 vehicle's out there with our big move. Quite a few times someone needed something that was in another truck, jack, blocks, chisel, shovel, generator, gas, fish house keys just too name a few. I have no idea where all my shovels have gone so that on the bemidji list also today.
I did talk to jake a few minutes ago he has gotten 5 overnight. Colorado with bob and his crew had 3 both those houses have the pandonimics and are seeing fish plus schools of shiners.
Keith and his 2 grandsons in alaska only had 1 last night when I swung in. California had 1 before dark. the rest of the houses I will see how they did today.
Mark, Tony and their crew from Black pearl fishing have sleds. They said last night all 3 places they fished they caught numerous fish.
I expect the pressure ridge to get a little active today if it warms up as much as they say so we will see.
Hillmans Road only goes out about a mile and half at this time
with a bridge at a half mile. Buddy Hillman did get his Double decker out there.
I measured 16 inches of ice where were fishing so were still getting some flooding. I have also seen some slush pockets out there at this time. Cross country travels with a wheelhouse would be quite the challenge.
We will keep plugging away. Trusty rusty our red chevy may be fixed and also needs to be picked up at the mechanic's shop. The equipment sure takes a beating out there, I'm still a believer as slow and study, take your time, do not be in a hurry. This is what I was taught from my mentor cousin Pete.
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Cookie are those Honda gennys? What do they do to fix them?
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poor out fuel, get fresh gas
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Not sure how many times I have said I forgot, my memory is horrible so bear with me. I will be turning 63 and I have always said I'm about 5 years ahead of my time. which makes me about 68
The red barons tire could not be repaired dry rotted. So looking for a couple used tires 235 r85 16. We might have to buy new.
I'm a big chevy guy with the fleet but they sure make crappy door latches. granted these trucks take a pounding but the driver's doors seem to work worse than the passenger doors. The red baron still has a hick up but i did get to drive her a bit, that sure felt weird after not getting much use out of her the last 2 years.
Red rusty trusty needs a fuel pump.
We did get to the bottom of the generator issue. again, for the second time over the years it was contaminated fuel. 2 gallons of generator fuel had over a quart of water and debree in tanks. Not sure if it's coming from snow in funnels but does not explain where all the gunk comes from. At least we got that figured out.
So much goes on everyday I can never write about everything, without trying to write everyday.
Mother nature was not so cruel to us this past Christmas week, Last time I measured ice we had 16 1/2 the houses still flood so brings your ice cleats.
We lost our pup Bella yesterday. She sure enjoyed all those days spent running on the lake with us, when I moved houses she would run in front of the trucks, she would follow me all day long at the golf course or mowing for the township. If we had fishermen she knew how to get a few snacks with those brown puppy dog eyes.
We did push the whole fleet westward over the past week. Now were fishing in 9 to 10 feet instead of 8 or 9.
Joe and his pa did all rite fishing montana until we moved them. Ashly Poo our granddaughter fished the same house after they left and Only got one 18 1/2 incher.
Chris and his gal were in utah they ended up having to go home a day early. They pounded on some nice perch plus got 5 keeper walleyes.
Bob the owner of Colorado has some decent fishing as he hosted a couple guest.
Keith was with his son and grandson in alaska. Keith had me laughing so hard as he ask if I remembered when we met back in the crappie days, he said him and his son were struggling to find some crappies. I somehow met him and said if I were you I'm not saying but just saying if you go rite over there you may be surprised. It was 20 below when they pounded the fish. Keith said after catching fish they went to the old hudecs to get a room; he had never been here and expected there would be lodging everywhere. They said we have an old cabin that might have a few mice in it if they wanted to sleep there. Keith said all the mice running across there sleeping bags traumatized his son.
They only caught a few fish this time but again had a great time.
Matt and his 3 gals had north dakota, they ate a few fish plus took home a limit.
Haily and her crew caught a few fish in alaska over new years. Not the hoy house
Brian and Stacy old customers showed up with their new used wheelhouse. I had a spot plowed for them. The first night they did really well. Stacy then had a big pike on. After that the bite went south, or should I say west as the couple wheelhouses to the west did fairly well. I think that pike may have been laying under the house for the next 24 hours.
Tim and Amanda were here in florida over the new year. They got 12 the first day and I think another 10 the next day.
Old minnesota has had Tim and Joy all week. They have caught a couple fish but there also here for the atmosphere besides the fishing. Jonny boy fished it last night and got a chunky 23 1/2. I think he said it was his personnel best on red lake.
Jonny boy, I and Asley Poo our granddaughter worked on moving as many houses as possible. Asly got to pull California out of the hole. Mopar Richard, Jeromy their buddy did pretty decent in there over the holiday.
Blue thunders plow quit for a bit yesterday, Jonny boy dug into it and found a loose connection. Really need rusty trusty home so we can get that straight blade out of the woods.
black beauty's driver's door decided she would not close. I got it closed then it would not open, so I had to move a few things to crawl out the passenger side. I crawled back in get on the lake and the door pops open. Now it will not close again so i did the Red Green duct tape trip. She never popped open all day but getting out the passenger side got old by last night.
We did get everything cleaned and moved by 1 pm yesterday, the hammer also came out to help, a couple hours later she was towing a fish house, on the lake. Only took 21 years to tow a house.
I also got all new guest checked in. she was a long day on a grand lake that owes us nothing. Another 12-hour day is in the books. Jonny boy was going to make the rounds out there last night so I did not have to go out again.
Today I would like to take a little tour of the other accesses plus kirk is fishing out there with bear paw.
We do have to get old Minnesota on a new spot, ready to fish by 2. Plus make the daily rounds to visit our guests.
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sorry to hear about you pup, Bella, cookie...
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Great report Cookie. AND RIP Bella.
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thanks guys sure not use to having her greet me when i get home
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getting old sure has caught up to me. Seem's it takes a lot longer to get going in the morning for sure.
Jan 9th its been 6 days since i was able to write. Again, remembering everyone plus all the hustle and bustle has been impossible. Will shoot for some of the highlights.
All the houses have been moved at least twice since I last wrote. As always, the fishing could have been better for everyone. we keep pushing west driving over millions of fish :crazy:
Johnn v and his crew rolled in Monday the 2nd. They have been coming up for years. the first night was no good so we moved north dakota further west where they did have better fishing. we also moved old Minnesota with Dana, Doug and their daughter Nevaeh . They also did better in the new spot the second night.
Joe and his crew had Montana and Florida, we also moved them after the second night. Again, they did better on the newer spot.
California had just Bob he got fish in both spots we had him. He did eat a 18 plus took home his 3 I think.
Tim and Laura were in Alaska they had plenty of room. They had action with the third night the slowest.
Quade and his crew were in Utah , they also caught some nice keepers .
Brad and his family in Colorado also got action where they were.
Thursday we moved everything that was open. Then Friday was a very busy day, although all days have been crazy busy
With the turnover Darrin was here to help as well as Jonny boy and Ashly poo. Went much smoother then 2 weeks ago. We did break a fish house window that we will have to deal with this summer, I guess.
Never did get a wiper motor working on the red baron so still no wipers.
Rick Ry and his brother Mike rolled in friday they have been coming up here for years. They also had Matt his son Luke and matts day in old mn. Then matts brother Shwan and chris his coworker were in florida. Of the 3 houses old minnesota had the best fishing with Rick and Mike not doing that well.
Andy, Andy and Blake also rolled in for the weekend in utah. They did well as they were a 1/2 mile form everybody else.
Dayne and his wife Sarha with their friends were in Colorado. There best fishing was the last night. I did have to escort them back to the shack late friday night as they could not find it.
Gary and his guys were in the cabin, they had a couple houses rented form another outfitter . they did not do well.
All the houses were moved again for 4 arrivals yesterday. So we will see how they did today. It's pretty much been 12 to 14 hour days Since Christmas.
I get jonny boy one more day than he has a flooring job out of town. Big Tony that worked with me 13 years ago has come up to help me as I cannot do all the work on my own anymore :pouty: Oh well, Ashly poo will be back next Sunday so tomorrow it's just me and big Tony .. The crazy run of rentals slows down now so I guess that's a good thing. We have quite a few little projects we need to also get done when were not on the lake. I'll make the rounds today and see how everyone did on such a grand lake that owes us nothing.
I have heard of a few limits of crappies being taken plus one here one there.
Tammy and Randy were also up. Tammy got a 25-inch walleye Saturday around 3 pm. Was nice seeing them as it had been a few years.
We also had some wheelhouse we had plowed for and of course they seemed to have the better fishing. The only thing I can figure as there is more activity around our fleet then the wheelhouses. She is 8am time to fire up the equipment and hit the ice.
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Thanks cookie! See ya on friday!!
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Be careful out there.
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Jan 12th 2023
yesterday was one of those days I guess. Everything was going smooth we wee in the process of moving Colorado when the front crank up came apart. i think they call it a bull dog. I pulled blue thunder up to give us some room to try and fix it. I get back in blue thunder hit the key and nothing, Figure it might be starter, i shimmy under the truck check the wire and we got a connection, Tony is at the same time wiggling the battery connections. Gotta be the wire on the starter. Now i cannot get it to work again. with customer arriving we have to come up with plan B. I was able to get everyone checked in as they all arrived on time.
we then tow bluethunder home. Every once in a while, the ignition comes on,. red lake helped us find the problem as it was a connection on the battery. Thank you, red lake that owes us nothing.
A update on the fishing. It has gotten better since we moved the whole fleet west again.
Tim and his crew were in north dakota. They caught a eel pout maybe a walleye. We moved them to a new area and they still had horrible fishing. Tim had a nephew working on the south end and they were doing really well, but Tim stuck it out with us,
Florida was 200 feet away from them, Curt and his buddy caught some smaller ones. We moved them when we moved north dakota. Less than 200 feet away they did better taking home 4 walleyes and 1 big perch.
Colorado had Cory and his buddies. They caught fish all 3 days with most caught during the bewitching hours and after dark.
Monday we had Mike his wife Catalina and their son in montana on a new spot. They ended up catching 10 only staying one night. They were all nice fish.
Lee and his buddy were in utah. They did get a few but nothing to brag about.
Last night I made the rounds to make it another 14 hour day.
Alaska was not doing well. north dakota had 2 elusive yet still catchable crappies 2 walleyes.
Utah had Mike and his 2 friends they also had two elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies plus 1 17 1/4 inch walleye.
Tony stayed out on the lake he also managed to catch a few. The hammer and I will be having fresh crappy for dinner tonight.
Big Tony was going to make the morning rounds, again we have plenty of things to do before tomorrow.
I have been so busy I have not gotten to the end of Hillmans Road. Not sure how far it goes out. Mother nature has been so kind with no crazy wind or snow since that dumping weeks ago. Knock on wood. As soon as they predict some nasty type of weather the whole fleet will be moved closer to the main road Hillmans Highway.
It still has never been easy with my short time memory it is making it quite a bit harder. Then throw in all the aches and pain. There is no way I could do any of this without our good friends Darrin, Dan the carpet man, Ashly poo our grand daughter, Jonny boy and big tony my right-hand men plus kind of the left.
It does slow down quite a bit but we still have more work.
I did get a treat yesterday as we plowed out some spaces for his big crew of wheelhouses. Jared brought us 2 new tires for the red baron plus a big box of meat.
Were still seeing some flooding around fish houses.
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Jan 17 2023
Will start by saying after this past weekends fishing were making another big move as the area that was full of good fishing fizzeled out just like that. All these years of doing this and I have no clue what's going on. How one spot can be so good then turn so bad . I would love to blame mother nature but then you here how someone hammered them catching fish all day and night.
Old Minnesota had Richy and his buddies, on a brand-new spot in a fishy area and They may have caught 6 fish?
Are big crew form Iowa. Sarah, Kenny, Carl and Terry. They did not catch very many fish , they did have a grand time and I guess thats what really matters.
The group with them in North dakota also only caught a few fish. Again, my memory has failed me with names. They are the same crew that came with them two years ago. We had both those houses set up close to where Joe and his buddies caught fish for 3 days.
Tammy and her family were in Utah. They did have good fishing with one of the boys catching his first walleye. I think they took home 10 walleyes plus a couple elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies.
Montana Had first time clients Nicole, Rob and their friend. When I stopped in friday eve they had 2 walleyes, one elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. Plus, they missed two fish while I was visiting and landed a small walleye.
Alaska had Joe and his 3 kids all the way from kansas, again a fresh spot and the fishing was horrible, I had also plowed a spot for their buddy and his 3 kids. I'm not sure what happened but by time they left monday morning there was standing water all over that area?
Big Tony has been camping in california and catching fish. every night.
Jamie was in Utah sunday night after we moved it, they did get a few walleyes with his son catching his first walleye also.
Craig and his buddy were staying in the cabin fishing in portables with their sleds. They did real well all weekend.
Yesterday Jonny boy and Big Tony started moving the whole fleet to two new areas. Jonny boy loves his way points so that's where some of the fleet went. while a couple other houses are going back where we had good fishing 2 weeks ago.
I spent the morning cleaning and prepping all the houses for the big moves. Then I was off to get the new tires mounted on rims for the red baron.
We have to keep an eye on red barons radiator as it has a small leak along a seam. Stop leak helped for now but I will again be having to replace the radiator. I'm thinking maybe we can add some more cushion on the bottom radiator support to help some of the bumps she takes out there.
Again, today we have 3 houses to prep for guest arriving today. Ashly poo made it up to help us out today as Jonny boy had to go out of town on another flooring job.
With all the elusive yet still upper red lake crappies being caught I'm not sure there will be any to chase come march.
We did have our Utah house open up this coming weekend Jan 20th, 21rst. Time to do the back exercises as it's getting lite out. Darrin rolled in last night as well as scott so we will see how they did sometime today.
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We'll all I can say is the big move paid off for now, Will it last throughout the weekend we will find out this weekend.
After such a busy few weeks a little bit of a break was needed to find my second wind. We did get the new tires on the back of red baron. I have not even had a chance to drive her as Big Tony has been behind the wheel. Today I plan on plowing a couple spots with her to see if I remember why I love that truck.
Asly poo has been driving blue thunder. She is getting better plowing everyday. Yesterday I turned her and tony loose to move and bank north dakota and monatana. as I cleaned all the houses. They seemed to work well together and got her done in a very reasonable time.
I think last night may have been the first night since Christmas that we had no guest on the lake. I still hd to go out there just to check on things.
Scott and his fishing partner checked into colorado monday. They had pretty good fishing if you count the smaller ones they also caught. The second night they even got a few elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies. I have said for years that the smaller scuffit walleyes hang out with the schools of crappies as well as a big pike.
Tuesday I stopped to visit scott . As i was sitting there his partner tagged into a pike. In the process of fighting her all of a sudden one of Scotts fishing rods shot down another hole. Once they landed it was not a monster, but it did have 3 hooks in her. Taking their time they were able to retrieve his rod up the same hole. They caught 23 walleyes,4 elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies, 5 perch and 1 pike.
Jaron, Chris and Josh were in north dakota tuesday wendesday. They also had good fishing with a school of crappies coming under the house the first night. I think they landed over 25. Jaron said it was crazy fishing for a while. They only took home 4 walleyes but they did take home a batch of the elusive upper red lake crappies.
Montana had Andy, Chris and Kaden, they also had good fishing. Not as good as north dakota but they ate some fish plus took home a few including 5 upper red lake crappies.
Florida had Bill and Sharon. The first night they did not do so well. I stopped in to check on them, they had there set ups 6 feet off the bottom? I helped them out. The next morning, they had only got 2 walleyes. Since we wanted the whole fleet moved, we moved them out a little further. They ended up having much better fishing even landing 2 elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies and a big eel pout.
It will be interesting to see how the fishing pans out this weekend. Our good friend wayne / wacker. He will be staying in old minnesota so I expect a little card playing may take place. Plus, I personally will be fishing more than a hour or two.
We had a full house this coming weekend but ended up with Florida canceling yesterday. At this time it's still open in a fishy area. It's time to get out there and fire up the heaters. As that old timer told me with so much passion years ago, ITS A GRAND LAKE AND OWES ME NOTHING! NOTHING! it silll chokes me up when I think about that day fishing with him.
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t's just so crazy how every week can be so different. Last week all the guests were showing up early. Things were breaking, customers were calling. Were here! This week they were all rolling in after 2pm with the latest coming in well after 1 am. I have to admit I got a little frustrating waiting for our last guest as it had been another long day on the lake. Big Tony, Ashley poo and I had all the houses ready to go before noon.
Tony his wife and the 2 kids checked in to north dakota, Tony said he has been going by here for 35 years and never stopped to fish. I would say it was a pretty successful trip. The walleyes had become the elusive yet still catchable
upper red lake fish. On the other hand, the cookie shuffle worked well on that house as they were well over 20 upper red lake crappies but only a couple walleyes so far. I hope to get out there this morning to say goodbye.
Big Tony was out in california 2 miles away from north dakota Thursday evening he landed 10 elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies.
We filled Florida Friday Saturday after a cancelation. They had forgot to call? John and Jason checked in after 8 pm by 10 pm they called to find out what the limit was for crappies. Super nice guys that left the house just like I ask as close to possible as how it was when you check in. john stated he has rented other fish houses and this was by far the nicest, plus I'm the first one that my crew or I came and checked on them off and on all weekend.
Mike and his gal Haily checked into montana, they also had pretty good fishing with a couple walleyes and a few elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies.
Haily is Jared's sister, him and his buddies checked into california saturday so we had taken california from its hot spot to set them up next to each other. They had a few fish, but the better fishing was a little to the south.
Utah had the late comer with his gal, I hate to say it, but I never got to visit with them but once. They only caught a few fish.
Alaska had John the owner of alaska and his buddy Alec? They were to the east. They managed 18 elusive yet still catchable upper red lake walleyes. 2 crappies 2 perch plus quite a few misses.
Corado had Dan jr and his buddy's. They also checked inn after dark, When I got their last guy out there, they had a half a bucket of elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies and just a couple walleyes. They did not have any live bait and were catching them with pink crappie nibblets.
Old minnesota had a good friend Wayne. It sure was a treat seeing him as we always have a grand time on a grand lake. The hammer and I joined him saturday eve, for some cards, pizza and fishing. The hammer put on the clinic living up to her name landing 4 elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies, 2 walleyes plus a few misses. I landed the biggest walleye. Wayne did hit the road yesterday with 10 crappies 3 walleyes. Wayne also helped me get a good door on black beauty as crawling over to the passenger door was getting old.
A wheelhouse we had plowed a spot for Tim called sunday to say thanks as they caught fish all 3 days they were here, they were in quite the fishy area as they caught walleye, perch, golden eyes, walleyes, and maybe a pike. We had plowed them a spot well to the west.
Another wheelhouse with Brock and his wife was amazed at how many crappies they caught. We had them close to the main road of all places.
I was talking to jake we figure the fish were seeing are from a huge crappie hatch from 2019.
Jake and the boys are on their way today and Jake is possessed with the upper red lake crappie. He probably has the auger already warmed up in his truck still 100 miles away.
The red baron radiator is hurting. The stop leak worked again but today I plan on tracking down a replacement.
Sounds like Jonny boy will be out of town again this week. Darrin is also on his way up to help out.
Wednesday all the houses are open. Plus Old minnesota, florida and possible montana are still not rented for this coming weekend jan 27 28.
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It sounds like the crappies are doing good down there.
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Heck, if I knew I could bang some of those nice crappies. I drive all the way up for that! :happy1:
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I may have to sneak down there in March to chase some of those crappies. I miss catching those bog slabbers.
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Most are only around 12 inches with a couple pushing 14. I did see two 16 true 16 inchers caught last night. buy tammy then her hubby randy a couple hours later. was it the same fish? They did let both go
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Another week has flown by here on the shores of upper red lake. What looked like an easier week turned into another busy week with 3 trips to Bemidji 2 tracking down a radiator for the red baron.
Jonny boy got back home to help us get ready for the weekend. We tried our best to prep for the snow and winds that rolled in last night. I would say we got at least 2 inches. Big Tony stayed out on the lake last night in old minnesota to be closer to the guest. Just in case anything came up. I have not heard from him over night, so I hope that's a good sign.
We started the week with Jake and his boys rolling in monday morning. Jake was on a mission to catch some elusive yet catchable upper red lake crappies. If I remember right, they landed 17 keeping 6 to eat.
With Darrin also coming up we were able to move california for Jared and his buddies as they had been here since saturday. That moved payed off as the mother lode swam under the house for there last night here. Even though they were not walleyes they were tickled pink to have all the action. I'm not sure how many they kept but they caught well over thirty.
We had Jim his wife and their granddaughter Brooklyn in florida. They did all right having action both nights. With my crappy memory I cannot remember the numbers but I be leave they got a couple walleyes and a few crappies.
With all the help we were able to move the whole fleet to new grounds before Jake and Darrin headed home.
Wednesday, we had joe his son in montana with their neighbor Jason and his 2 boys in california. Joe said they caught 18 crappies and a few smaller walleyes.
Jason son did get a true 14 1/2 inch crappie that he was very proud of. The action last night was much slower for them. I'm not sure if it picked up after I came off the lake.
I did wet a line myself last night. I maybe fished for a hour landing one. Jonny boy showed up and landed 4 or 5 with a couple smaller walleyes.
Mother nature decided it was time to show us she is in control. with the high winds out there, I expect she will be a long day. All the old roads that have been open are now more than likely gone.
. We had two groups roll in yesterday. We also plowed a few spots for wheelhouses.
We have 2 more groups rolling in today, looks like we will baby the red baron and tackle the radiator in the next 48 hours. I have changed more than one radiator in my lifetime, but my aches and pains, age, have caught up with me so Jonny boy and big Tony will tackle it.
Its been a year since we have had to deal with a snowstorm followed by high winds so she will be an interesting day. Not sure why they seem to fall on fridays but we know that part is out of control.
While Jake was here, I got to watch the side imaging in action. He saw a school of crappies 50 feet away from the house. He went over augured 2 holes came back grabbed his rod with a plastic mister twister. he proceeded to land 3 fish in less than 5 minutes during the middle of the day. I think it's almost cheating.
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Stay safe cookie!
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heres one for ya. boar did not come ice fishing because it was going too be cold :confused:
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Will just start by saying for some reason this coming week has always been a little slower for rentals? At this time we have 3 houses still open, north dakota,montana, and utah. the fishing was real good this past week.
The past week was another busy busy week here on the shores of upper red lake. We had 2 groups rolling in thursday Nick,Deeann,Aron and Char were checked into north dakota ,. Asley and her 2 fiends form Oklahoma which had never been on the ice arrived late afternoon. They were a little nerveis being the first time driving out on a frozen lake.
Ashly had also booked them a snowbear trip friday morning, so they were in for an adventure. Then throw in a couple inches of snow followed by some gusty wind friday. They caught a couple fish Thursday night with the best window from 5pm to 9pm. Remember how many a few fish are or how many a couple are or some from my previous writing? Friday morning their snowbear trip got cancelled, so there fishing was right where they were. Friday night the action was again around 5 to 9 they with quite a few more fish caught. A couple were even the elusive yet still catchable upper red lake walleyes.
Nick and his crew were here for 3 nights. The action was super slow during the day but each evening the fishing picked up quite a bit. We even started seeing some good action at 1 am and 4 am..
Marlo got 7 nice walleyes thursday morning. Nicks crew went home with some nice fish. More than a few?
Steff, Bill, Reed, and Brandon in Florida went home with 40 yes 40 elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies.plus a couple walleyes.
Montana had shell chick with her grandchildren Kaden and Chasity, Jonny boy got them all set up as the house was not rented. Him and Heather/Featheralso stayed to fish with them. They had a blast with Kaden 6 years old caught 2 walleyes back-to-back his first fish ever he nicknamed himself fisher. They went home with a couple walleyes and a few elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies. WINK WINK.
Willam and Brian were in California they both had livescopes. They ate some fish and took home 10, plus released another bunch. They also saw what they were assumed walleyes but had a hard time getting them to commit.
Alaska had horrible fishing friday night with Jim and his son. Plus, we had some issue with the 30 lb propane not flowing. They only landed 2 fish, so our plan was to move their house saturday after breakfest. Jim's brother John showed up with 2 boys and they got all set up on the new spot. They ended up doing much much better landing fish all night long. They took home a bucket and half of fish with the majority being elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies.
Colorado had Kayla and her friends they kept about a dozen fish with perch, walleye and crappie. I think they had the worst of the rentals as far as fishing.
We also moved Utah for Venessa and Jamid. They were only here for one night. They were gone when I got out there sunday morning. I did get a text from him later yesterday. They took home 8 elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies.
The extreme cold was not too nice too us with some of the fleet. When we were making the road for alaska and utah we broke something in the transfer case. It will not stay in FWD. Plus there was some grinding and growling.
Jonny boy and big tony did get the new radiator installed under the parachute with the torpedo heater. Black beauty's starter or battery took a shi. Not sure on which yet. The hammers trail blazer also may need a new battery. The cold always does a number on the equipment.
Jonny boy had to leave town again so Darrin will be coming up tomorrow to help get everything moved for the up-and-coming weekend. It's actually slow for us they next few days. Which is a good thing as I think I have been going on adrenalin the past month.
The wheelhouses we had plowed spots also did fairly well.
Jigglestick showed up with his grandson Dominick. His words not mine were" once again the lake that owes us nothing has given us so much". Dominick had a blast pulling up 90 percent of the fish.
Tammy and Randy rolled in thursday. They also had fantastic fishing with once again Tammy landing a trophy of a fish a true 16 inch elusive upper red lake that she released. Randy also landed a big one 16incher while I was checking in on them friday evening. They only took home 10 a couple, but caught 14 walleyes a few, and 30 crappies a bunch.
Darrel caught 25 walleyes and no crappies, I also talked to another that did about the same.
Elvis caught a few fish while he was here also.
Seems the cold snap turned the fishing on this past weekend. Let's hope it continues into next week.
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trying to remember what happened a week ago can really be a challenge. The easiest would be just saying the fishing was ok,good,great,slow..
There was plenty of frustration with equipment, weather, fishermen.
What looked like a little break from rentals turned into quite a hectic week with mother nature giving us a wake up call. The fleet does not take the super cold very well.
Monday morning Tony got a break from the lake as I sent him to Bemidji for 2 new batteries for the hammers trail blazer and black beauty..
We thought black beauty's battery was toast. with the new battery she fired rite up, 24 hours later the starter took a shi. The red baron still has not been addressed as far as what may be broken. Jonny boy is home for a week to help us out as Big Tony has taken a well-earned break to go home and be with family. Without Tony stepping in, this season could of been a big bust.. Its sure is nice having help that understands the game plan and has a good head on his shoulders. His strength has also come in handy as well as his fishy/scouting skills. Staying out on the lake can really pay off with what there biting on the best presentations the best times, if there's a morning bite middle of the night bite what's biting on what etc.
I had to break down last night and fish for a bit. I was happy with the results.
Jonny boy also spent the night out there and gave me a good report.
We have customers in Colorado and Florida so will be interesting to see how they do now that all the wheelhouses rolled out yesterday. My frustration was a little high last friday as we had the whole fleet ready for the weekend. With the v plow down making driveways for wheelhouses was not happening. Its sure would have been nice to make a few new roads as we had everything ready to go by 11 am.
Rusty trusty had a fuel leak that had to be addressed. Jonny boy got that repaired. She still has a fuel issue that were addressing.
Jonny boy and I also purchased another chevy lake truck. I have not given her a nick name yet.
With the winds today blowing pretty hard it will be slow and steady.
I was told by an outfitter that sharing my fishing reports is a bad mistake. I have been doing this blogging for quite a few years, I have noticed that most give me some space and do not crowd us. In my mind they are all potential customers. So we take it as a grain of salt. I can attest it's a lot harder than people realize how tough it can be taking on mother nature and the conditions on the lake. Trying to keep everything running. Trying to find good fishing can be a huge challenge. The season is a grind, so I rely on catching a second wind.
We have a few customers this week as we again move all the houses for the up-and-coming weekend.
Blue thunder 's plow decided she does not want to turn right so now that's been added to the must repair asap.
Last monday we had a crew roll in from iowa that have a very popular tv show. Lee and Tiffanys The crush? Huge whitetail hunters. They were only spending one night. It was just the guys as they were here just to relax and have a good time fishing. Let's just say they had a good time and caught quite a few fish. Super nice guys.
Old minnesota had Gale and Tim they were here for two nights they took home a couple fish.
Florida had Kevin and Rollie they have been coming for years. They did pretty well even though a wheelhouse with a loud generator backed in behind them. I talked to them yesterday when they were packing up a very nice couple from floodwood. Shelly and mark they said they caught a couple. I did mention I thought maybe they pulled in a little to close.
Travis was with his buddy in north dakota they spent saturday fishing looking for the motherlode with their side imaging. I never saw them at the house and assume maybe they went to lake of the woods for the day. Turns out they found some good fishing all by them self. They ate fish and also took some home.
Monatana had Iban and his family they landed a few elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies and a couple walleyes.
Andy, Andy and their buddy had outstanding fishing in alaska. They had the lites toned down. the generator in the back of their truck. They always want to be away from anyone and bring their own generator this time it paid off as they caught a pile of fish. With a nice mix of a little of everything.
Utah had brad and his buddys they did all right but pulled in late Friday night so missed the good first nights window.
Colorado had Cody and Amy they never landed a elusive yet catchable upper red lake crappie but did take home a couple of limits of walleyes and said they plan on coming back next year.
Old minnesota had my good friends and hunting buddies Bob and Rick plus they brought boom boom billy rundle. I have not seen Bill for who knows thirty plus tears or more as he moved to Wisconsin.
My good friend billy aka The greek gave him the nick name after he took out moose with one punch in a heated broom ball game many many years ago.. Rick put on the fishing clinic as he caught over a dozen elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie while Bob got two walleye and bill got one of each.
It's time to bundle up and hit the lake as the winds are howling out there today.
We will be improvising a bit as we nurse the fleet back into action on a grand lake that owes us nothing yet gives us everything.
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Last monday we had a crew roll in from iowa that have a very popular tv show. Lee and Tiffanys The crush? Huge whitetail hunters. They were only spending one night. It was just the guys as they were here just to relax and have a good time fishing. Let's just say they had a good time and caught quite a few fish. Super nice guys.
I watch their show, not all bad at all... thanks cookie for the report!!!!
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Well here goes another short novel. Novel "typically representing character and action of realism"
trying to give a fishing report from 9 days ago tell today is a huge challenge. Again, will start by saying thanks to all our customers, friends, potential customers. The fishing in our area was all over the place to say the least, If you got lucky a small school of crappies may have ventured under your house for some crazy action. I would say 95 out of a hundred fish caught have been low lite condition or well after dark.
I would guess about 40 wheelhouses came down towards our rental fleet this past weekend. There are other roads going to the north but most want to come to the end of the road. I did plow some off shoot driveways that never got used.
Buddy Hillman also plowed out some areas for other options. I got no clue how any of them houses did. Someone which I assume was buddy hillman plowed a area in shallow that had 4 or 5 wheelhouses, I'm sure curious how they did. If there back this weekend that should answer that question.
Moving our fleet to the west is out of the question as two other outfitters have been working the area pretty hard.
I have seen some flooding out there. The last ice I measured was just over 2 feet.
Talking about the chevy truck fleet, if the past 10 weeks had been typical, I'm not sure we would even have a fleet. I'm getting old as well as the trucks. It may be time to trade it all for one decent truck. The problem with that is then you need two. Two turns to three etc. Blue thunder 3 may be in the works.
We have had quite a few quests the past 9 days. We have also had some break downs. Blue thunders plow would not go right. After a lot of frustrations jonny boy again found the problem. A broken wire. Rusty trusty has had on and off fuel delivery problems. Knock on wood. Working on the equipment in the elements has always been a struggle. We have set in motions plans to have a heated garage by next fall. Our good friend dan the carpet man installed the new starter in black beauty yesterday so I can now haul equipment much easier.
This year has been the year of the generators. Were thinking of also changing things up for that next year. Being bring your own or you can rent one from us. Monday night at 10 30 I got the call the starter rope broke when they went to restart after fueling.
All the houses have been moved 2 to 3 times since my last fishing report, Tanner and his gal crushed the fish out of utah . Tanner is the guy that helped us get white lightning from colorado. Then we had Dan and his family for the weekend they did not crush the fish but they did get a few and had a grand time on a grand lake, dan said he had not ice fished in 15 years. We then moved utah again for bob and his two buddy's thewy only caught a few fish but did get 2 elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies.
North dakota had rick and his 2 buddy's from Illinoi. For the weekend they got robbed but rick said that's fishing and I'll be back. We then moved north dakota again for Ron and his 2 buddy's they did decent sunday night but was defiantly slower Monday night. They did go home with more than a few.
California had Norm and his 2 brothers. They took home 15 fish I think with norm not having any luck on his end of the house. We then had Dustin a friend of Big Tonys they caught a few fish. We then moved california again for Robert from cromwell .They did really well and had a blast.
I fished old minnesota last thursday and had a gas, catching 5 elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies a huge perch all on a chubby darter within 2 hours of fishing. Friday night everything was just lookers.
We then had shell chick and andrew. They caught a few walleyes and a couple crappie's plus we also moved them after the second night.
Florida had Nic and his son dillion. They were by rick and also only got a couple fish.
Then we had Tracy eric and Jeromy they caught some fish with eric releasing a 22 inch walleye sunday night. we then moved them for their last night where they caught a few more fish.
Alaska had joe and his crew for 3 night they caught fish when they jigged landing roughly 25 fish. with a mixture of walleyes and elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies.
Thats about the best I can do for my fishing report.
We did plow quite a few spots for wheel houses the past 9 days with mix results. Some did great others not so great. Then you get a couple that just will not tell ya the truth?
Jonny boy got the day off with the road conditions so he is going to come help move houses and do a little fish scouting before we get everything on new spots. I also plan on wetting a line for a few hours tonight. Darrin will be coming up also to help and we have Ashly poo here helping also. So, it should be a grand day on a grand lake.
I'll be heading out on the lake in a bit to see what mother nature has dealt us. The winds have been howling all night. With some snow there will be some plowing for sure.
We have had some spectacular sunsets and sunrises the past week plus friday night I got treated to some dancing northen lights.
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Well here goes another short novel. Novel "typically representing character and action of realism"
trying to give a fishing report from 9 days ago tell today is a huge challenge. Again, will start by saying thanks to all our customers, friends, potential customers. The fishing in our area was all over the place to say the least, If you got lucky a small school of crappies may have ventured under your house for some crazy action. I would say 95 out of a hundred fish caught have been low lite condition or well after dark.
I would guess about 40 wheelhouses came down towards our rental fleet this past weekend. There are other roads going to the north but most want to come to the end of the road. I did plow some off shoot driveways that never got used.
Buddy Hillman also plowed out some areas for other options. I got no clue how any of them houses did. Someone which I assume was buddy hillman plowed a area in shallow that had 4 or 5 wheelhouses, I'm sure curious how they did. If there back this weekend that should answer that question.
Moving our fleet to the west is out of the question as two other outfitters have been working the area pretty hard.
I have seen some flooding out there. The last ice I measured was just over 2 feet.
Talking about the chevy truck fleet, if the past 10 weeks had been typical, I'm not sure we would even have a fleet. I'm getting old as well as the trucks. It may be time to trade it all for one decent truck. The problem with that is then you need two. Two turns to three etc. Blue thunder 3 may be in the works.
We have had quite a few quests the past 9 days. We have also had some break downs. Blue thunders plow would not go right. After a lot of frustrations jonny boy again found the problem. A broken wire. Rusty trusty has had on and off fuel delivery problems. Knock on wood. Working on the equipment in the elements has always been a struggle. We have set in motions plans to have a heated garage by next fall. Our good friend dan the carpet man installed the new starter in black beauty yesterday so I can now haul equipment much easier.
This year has been the year of the generators. Were thinking of also changing things up for that next year. Being bring your own or you can rent one from us. Monday night at 10 30 I got the call the starter rope broke when they went to restart after fueling.
All the houses have been moved 2 to 3 times since my last fishing report, Tanner and his gal crushed the fish out of utah . Tanner is the guy that helped us get white lightning from colorado. Then we had Dan and his family for the weekend they did not crush the fish but they did get a few and had a grand time on a grand lake, dan said he had not ice fished in 15 years. We then moved utah again for bob and his two buddy's thewy only caught a few fish but did get 2 elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies.
North dakota had rick and his 2 buddy's from Illinoi. For the weekend they got robbed but rick said that's fishing and I'll be back. We then moved north dakota again for Ron and his 2 buddy's they did decent sunday night but was defiantly slower Monday night. They did go home with more than a few.
California had Norm and his 2 brothers. They took home 15 fish I think with norm not having any luck on his end of the house. We then had Dustin a friend of Big Tonys they caught a few fish. We then moved california again for Robert from cromwell .They did really well and had a blast.
I fished old minnesota last thursday and had a gas, catching 5 elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies a huge perch all on a chubby darter within 2 hours of fishing. Friday night everything was just lookers.
We then had shell chick and andrew. They caught a few walleyes and a couple crappie's plus we also moved them after the second night.
Florida had Nic and his son dillion. They were by rick and also only got a couple fish.
Then we had Tracy eric and Jeromy they caught some fish with eric releasing a 22 inch walleye sunday night. we then moved them for their last night where they caught a few more fish.
Alaska had joe and his crew for 3 night they caught fish when they jigged landing roughly 25 fish. with a mixture of walleyes and elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies.
Thats about the best I can do for my fishing report.
We did plow quite a few spots for wheel houses the past 9 days with mix results. Some did great others not so great. Then you get a couple that just will not tell ya the truth?
Jonny boy got the day off with the road conditions so he is going to come help move houses and do a little fish scouting before we get everything on new spots. I also plan on wetting a line for a few hours tonight. Darrin will be coming up also to help and we have Ashly poo here helping also. So, it should be a grand day on a grand lake.
I'll be heading out on the lake in a bit to see what mother nature has dealt us. The winds have been howling all night. With some snow there will be some plowing for sure.
We have had some spectacular sunsets and sunrises the past week plus friday night I got treated to some dancing northen lights.
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Having some major issue with our home computer,
My plan to try and keep the wheelhouses at bay worked out pretty good. All the houses caught some fish with a couple doing real good. Trying to figure where these crappies will be next can be tricky as fish swim wherever they want. I would say roughly 40 wheelhouses came down the north road. most found old spots to pull into while we plowed spots for others. Of course, some did better than others but that's fishing. One or two wheelhouses stiffed me. The phone went crazy friday just about the time I got on the lake to get 8 houses ready for the weekend. I cannot drop everything I'm doing to cater to them, so they had to be patient. My stupid short-term memory can make or does make my planning quite a bit harder. Our good friend Lonnie had arrived wednesday with a couple houses. I told him what was going on out here so he could decide where he wanted to set up. Its so funny he always thinks he is setting up too close to us. he picked a good area for his friends as Steves house put the smack down on the mother lode. They caught fish for 2 days. Lonnie's house got 4 fish so they decided another wheelhouse move was in order. In the process of setting up they had a few more guest roll in and things kind of snowballed from there. He had his own city over there by friday eve, some did really well while steves how dried up a bit. Ben's house could not buy a fish and he was less then 30 yards from lonnies..
The hammer and I stopped there saturday eve, after being treated to homemade pizza from bill another of lonnies friends. The hammer got in on the action landing four of the now famous not elusive upper red lake crappies.. Lisa also landed a big one friday about 4am.
Some of the other wheelhouses we plowed spots for did well with some doing better on walleyes.
Now for our houses old minnesota did not pound them but they did allright. Cory and his gal had a relaxing vacation. Asley and I moved it sunday after they departed so I could enjoy the last night of big game fishing for the year. The hammer and I got 6 crappies 2 walleyes and a few misses in the 3 hours we wet a line. Last night our friend Nancy came up with some chili and we fished again. It was a little slow. I did land a couple elusive yet very catchable upper red lake crappies. Nancy spent the night out there and landed a couple more on the rattle wheel.
Colorado had Jon two boys and a friend they ate some fish and cleaned a few for the trip home.
North dakota had Marve and his crew they also got more then a few but were gone when I got out there sunday.
Florida had dan and his buddy they also caught fish but after plowing out two spots for there friends next to them they did not do as well. We seem to have a new pattern with friends or relatives wanting plowed spots next to our houses.
Montana and Utah were rented together. Scott, Dan, Paul all brothers and 2 sons had a blast . They want to make it a new tradition. I told them its not like this everytime. Paul gave me a bunch of ice cream as he owns a ice cream shop, I did find a few kids out there to share as we cannot eat that much ice cream. Scotts old fishing site invo minnesota started my daily blogging 20 years ago.
Alaska had 2 couples Justin his gal there 2 friends that have been here before. When I stopped in saturday they had 15 elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies.
California had Jon and another guy they ended up catching 48 "a bunch" plus a couple walleyes. Last night Carter and his friends fished in there. Same spot they landed over 20. they only fished a couple hours to boot.
Darrins house with dad and son also had good action.
Darrin will be helping with ashley and I getting the whole fleet dug out and put on fresh spots for the up-and-coming weekend. We have another full weekend coming up. At this time all the houses are open until friday although it sounds like Nancy wants to come up again tonight. I'm sure a few wheelhouses will be calling. we will do our best to put them on fishy spots without crowding the customers that pay for a weekend getaway on a grand lake that owes us nothing.
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One more week in the books as it really starts to slow down now. I get a chance to spend more time fishing for the elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. My big problem as I fish in old minnesota most of the time as this old body cannot keep up with trucking around in the uneven deep rock hard snow.
Yesterday I spent part of the day digging out montana and getting her out of its spot. What I use too do in less than a hour took me a little bit longer. I do not think I could move 4 houses on my own in one day like I use to. Maybe, but I do not even want to try.
The good news as I did catch a elusive yet still catchable crappie last night just as I was getting ready to pull the plug and come in. Thinking maybe the mother lode was coming my way I stuck her out another 1/2 hour.
I did have guests in two houses last night. Jake and Brenda did find one hot hole outside figuring they landed 60 fish with 50 coming out of the one hole they were sharing.
Mark and his two kids only got one in the house monday night. They are seeing fish but cannot get them to commit.
They did go out searching but had no luck. They did get to watch out the window as brenda and jake caught fish.
We did have some great highlights last weekend. Jonny boy got quite a crew of our renters out to find the motherlode. They had a riot on such a gorgeous day. I planned to join them once I checked in some customers, but they ended up running late so time I got back out there she was a little chillier. Jonny boy plans on giving it another try this weekend. 5 of the houses are still open at this time if anyone wants to come chase the schools around.
Florida had Travis and his wife saturday sunday they took home a few? out of the house.
North dakota was a bust on its new spot as Jarred and his wife were fairly new at ice fishing. I expected that spot to do well.
Old minnesota had Dan /Pudge and his wife fluffy. The first night was a no show on the elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. The second night the fish came under the house so they ended up keeping 12. Hindsight I should of kept it there but I wanted a fresh spot for the week. My plan is to move her again when the help arrives as the hammer and I have plans of spending the last weekend on the lake.
Montana had Mel and Dan. They got a couple the first night. saturday Dan joined up with Jonny boy and had a blast saturday eve, they chilled after having a prime rib dinner on the lake as Dan said all that fresh air and auguring wiped him out.
Colorada had Melissa, Jason and Barb. They also got a couple in the house and joined jonny boy, on the hunt. They also had a blast.
Alaska had Nate and his crew they went out on their own and pounded the fish wherever they went. I'm not quite sure where they were but they had a riot landing and releasing a few over 15 inches.
Dean and his crew also participated in the hunt.
Plus they caught a few in a house we borrowed from westwind.
Chuck from ice castle outlaws did fairly well where we plowed a spot for them. The houses across and over could not buy but one crappie a piece.
Andy Roy and John also had no luck in there spot.
Darrin had jinksy dave and they did real well the first night but was dead the second night. Maybe I jinxed him. on a grand lake that owes us nothing.
Blue thunder has not been running right she wants to die when you let off the gas, I think it may be a vacuum leak or a fuel filter in the carb. We have had some fuel issues this year.
well, it's time to check the fluids and go find the fish on such a grand lake that owes us nothing.
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well well well were still kicking up here on the shores of upper red lake, on a lake that owes us nothing! That keeps on giving.
I made it through another summer as the bones and body get a little bit more worn out every year.
I saw yesterday all the outfits are saying ice as far as you can see. she looks a little chunking out there as the winds were blowing pretty good when that cold air came ib two nights ago. You can see some piles way out there where the ice has broken and stacked up. She still windy out there again today. Last year after the first big wind it calmed down and we got some pretty nice smooth ice. This year as in every year it's never freezes the same. will have to see what mother nature throws at us the next few days. I myself have no plans of venturing out on the ice any time soon.
I'm sure some will be walking out with in the week to see what they find. The weather man says we have at least 2 more nights of low teens so that will help. I did see some pics of open pockets of water. they always spook me. as they skim over you could go from 4 inches of ice to one. If a area of ice looks different I would use caution and common sense.
The dnr fishery has set our limit to 4 fish with 3 under 17 inches. Alot of elusive yet still catchable crappie were caught last year and this summer so I expect that to continue this year. With the live scope them poor fish have less of a chance than ever. I'm no one to preach as we kept many of those fish back in the day when you could keep 15.
Our fleet of vehicles have also gotten a year older. Blue thunder did get a couple of used doors plus i was able to put in a new heater core. She might have better heat this year but only time will tell. The red rusty trusty blew a power steering line a few days ago. Once it gets cold they all seem to have a couple new issues. Looks like this year is no different.
We also have a yeti we will be managing this year. We nick named it Tennessee. I be leave it will be arriving some time today. Depending on the ice we may have a few fishermen staying next weekend on shore. I expect you will be able to walk out to fishy water by then. Again mother nature will make that decision for us.
I pretty much have the same crew helping this year. Jonny boy will help as often as is full time job will allow. He has passion for finding fish thats for sure. Big Tony plans on helping out as well as Darrin and Dan. Dan got a ice castle this year so there are pretty excited to get out on the ice with her.
I'lll keep posting more as the days go buy but need to get some chore done today so happy holidays to everyone.
cookie
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thanks cookie.
I may need to rent Minnesota for a night or 2... have a old navy buddy from south carolina that wants to go... and I sold my wheel house a few years ago.
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well well well were still kicking up here on the shores of upper red lake, on a lake that owes us nothing! That keeps on giving.
I made it through another summer as the bones and body get a little bit more worn out every year.
I saw yesterday all the outfits are saying ice as far as you can see. she looks a little chunking out there as the winds were blowing pretty good when that cold air came ib two nights ago. You can see some piles way out there where the ice has broken and stacked up. She still windy out there again today. Last year after the first big wind it calmed down and we got some pretty nice smooth ice. This year as in every year it's never freezes the same. will have to see what mother nature throws at us the next few days. I myself have no plans of venturing out on the ice any time soon.
I'm sure some will be walking out with in the week to see what they find. The weather man says we have at least 2 more nights of low teens so that will help. I did see some pics of open pockets of water. they always spook me. as they skim over you could go from 4 inches of ice to one. If a area of ice looks different I would use caution and common sense.
The dnr fishery has set our limit to 4 fish with 3 under 17 inches. Alot of elusive yet still catchable crappie were caught last year and this summer so I expect that to continue this year. With the live scope them poor fish have less of a chance than ever. I'm no one to preach as we kept many of those fish back in the day when you could keep 15.
Our fleet of vehicles have also gotten a year older. Blue thunder did get a couple of used doors plus i was able to put in a new heater core. She might have better heat this year but only time will tell. The red rusty trusty blew a power steering line a few days ago. Once it gets cold they all seem to have a couple new issues. Looks like this year is no different.
We also have a yeti we will be managing this year. We nick named it Tennessee. I be leave it will be arriving some time today. Depending on the ice we may have a few fishermen staying next weekend on shore. I expect you will be able to walk out to fishy water by then. Again mother nature will make that decision for us.
I pretty much have the same crew helping this year. Jonny boy will help as often as is full time job will allow. He has passion for finding fish thats for sure. Big Tony plans on helping out as well as Darrin and Dan. Dan got a ice castle this year so there are pretty excited to get out on the ice with her.
I'lll keep posting more as the days go buy but need to get some chore done today so happy holidays to everyone.
cookie
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8 degrees this morning with another night of single digits again tonight.
red lake remote posted a few pics they took out in front of their place. Amazing how the ice can do that.
I have been busy getting our houses a final wipe down and inventoried for the up-and-coming season. The new house Tennessee arrived saturday. Very nice house. can sleep 4. 3 would be better.
I expect most of the resort will be allowing walking by friday. That could change depending on the winds though.
At this time most of our houses on shore are still available .
Jake may come up this week to help work on a few things. We have a running joke when we work on this stuff. It has too be bitter cold and windy. No sense working on these projects when jake can be musky fishing and I can be golfing during the summer.
We did get a dusting of snow in the last 24 hours. Then big winds to create white out conditions yesterday out on the lake. Glad were not out there yet.
Christmas to new year’s has filled up just like every year. Hindsight I should not give my 20 percent discount during that week. But that’s not how I roll.
This early fall I had all the trucks started and running. Then the first cold snap and they show their true colors. Looks like a few new vehicle batteries will need to be purchased.
Thats about all for today here on the shores of upper red lake that owes us nothing and as jiggle said last year but just keeps giving.
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From all the reports I have been reading most if not all of the accesses Plan on letting walkers out by this friday. They are also asking fisher people to get off lake at sunset.
Two of the resorts up here in wasksh sounds like they are changing their policy on lake access.
Red lake remote is letting fishermen off their place as well as beacon harbor.
I have also heard a few outfitters thinking they may have sleepers on the lake next weekend? Our weather says 44 next week one day? They can be wrong as mn weather can change.
As soon as the accesses open up for walking with in 1 hour I start getting calls when can we take out wheelers? I also heard there is a outfit giving rides at this time. I can understand how they can do this as most have Been scoping out the conditions since first ice. SO MUCH DIFFERENT THEN SOME JUST SHOWING UP AND VENTURING OUT .
I MY SELF VERY SELDOME GO OUT ON FIRST ICE AND WAIT TELL I CAN DRIVE BLUE THUNDER. The way i look at it as once I'm on the lake I'm on the lake just about every day until the houses come back to shore. That can be over a hundred days so I'm in no hurry to get out there. Plus, my mentor cousin Pete always said when working on the lake do not be in a hurry. I could not of ask for a better mentor \ teacher then cousin Pete..
Our fleet of trucks. blue thunder, red baron, rusty trusty, black beauty, white lightning and our newest old truck just lake truck al have some ailments. They sure take a beating out there. I had everyone running until the first cold snap. A couple new batterie's today and will see where we're at. Again, not that cold out so I'm hoping they all can be fired up and moved around a bit.
We do have a few ice castles showing up this weekend to camp down by the lake. We also have guest in the cabin and 2 of our fish houses on shore being used. Next weekend were all full at this time/
I think Jake still plan oncoming up tomorrow to help with some house Maintenace. Jonny boy should be here Saturday morning Brite eyed and bushy tailed to get to work. He already misses not being here and were not even on the lake yet. He has followed in my footsteps just having a passion too be out there. Plus, he is good at it.
After last year's fishing success from all the outfitters it will be another interesting year.
A new mn state law has been enacted. If you have any garbage, it must be in a container and not just lying on the ice. If your pet does number 2 you are required to scoop it up. No cig butts should be thrown on the ice.
The keep it clean campaign has really taken off throughout the state. Littering has been a pet peeve of mine since I was a kid growing up in Colorado.
We're already seeing fish pictures I expect a few elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies will show up this weekend also.
Thats it for now on a grand lake that owes us nothing yet still keeps giving.
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I completely agree on the littering/garbage on the lake. Disgusting!
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Thanks cookie cant wait to get out ther. But i gota be ready for the new Boarlit Gen 3 comin in dec. Bet we will get ther!!
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I'm due to go there on Dec 18 for 2 nights. Hope the sleepers are out by then.
Thanks for the report Cookie.
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well we managed to make it through the first weekend of having guest here at cookies on upper red lake.
Jake did make it up too help with some carpenter work. We got old minnesota siding repaired where it got damaged last year. Jonny boy and Jaked also were able to replace the large window on montana with a new slider window. That turned out really well. I was the gopher since I'm have minimal carpenter skills. I did pay the price as my back was hurting big time saturday eve. I know that this year I will have to cut down on the manual labor of our operation.
Back in the day I could dig out a skid house break it loose move it reset it in about a hour depending on how far I move. Last year 1 skid house took me closer to 3 hours, this year the crew will be moving them all. I do not plan on trying to move any on my own. We do have a young guy coming up this weekend so I can give him a interview.
we also got some more work done to the fleet Jonny boy was able to replace the power steering line on rusty trusty. i was able to install a new batterie. I need to pick up a new master cylinder for blue thunder. Install another new batterie in the old truck. The red baron has a issue that we have to figure out she fires right up but as soon as you put her in gear and give it gas it sputters and die. Then it fires right back up. Maybe fuel pump?
. The fishing for all our guest was a mixed bag with some doing real well, some so so, some struggled to find under 17s. The lake had a couple hundred hubs out there saturday from westwind the "premier resort here in waskish" all the way around to beacon harbor.
I also saw that a few elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies were caught. One gentlemen had a 15 he let go to keep the genetics in the system. I also had a friend send me a pic of a big pike he caught saturday.
I still have not been more than a hundred feet on lake. I may have to do the no snow but cold dance. Looking at the long-range forecast were looking at possibly getting the houses on the lake a few days before Christmas. we do have a few weekends completely booked but still have quite a few rentals left. Remember I offer 20 percent off sunday through wednesdays. On a grand lake that owes us nothing yet just keeps giving.
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Mother nature is not cooperating with us . All the resort have been suggesting boundries at this time. The pot holes that glazed over have not made much if any ice in the past week. Please everyone use a lot of commonn sense. Most of the fishermen have been staying with in 3/4 mile from shore which is plenty far enough to find fish. Anything that rattles will draw them in. A second line set up with a red plain hook and bobber tip with a minnow.
Tony boy walked out and got his 4 with in the last 2 hours of day lite and was able to get back to shore before dark.
Bob went out yesterday again not that far they were biting before he could even get a second line down. He also was able to come in before dark. I talked to a gentleman that did really well yesterday in front of the beach . Seems everyone has been reporting good fishing.
With tony boy here we have been able to get quite a few to do things done. I got new batteries in all the trucks. They have all been started and moved. We do have a issue with the red baron as it will not stay in 4 wheel drive. Plus it will not stay running when you put her in gear.
Blue thunder has a couple little thing I am addressing.
I'm hoping any snow stays away at this time. We do not need any insulation as they lake struggles to make ice. Plus the frozen potholes will be impossible to spot. I have heard they are around 3 to 4 inches. Again, I personally have not ventured out on to the lake so all I can go buy is what others say and what I've observed over the years. Please again everybody be safe, Fish with the buddies, if it does not look right, it probably is not. Have a rope, ice pics" a having a vested life jacket would not hurt if you're riding any kind of machine.
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oday will change it up this morning and talk about the fishing first.
All our guest that were here caught fish. Some walked some had wheelers. Some struggled to find fish that were under 17 inches. Getting the overs was much easier. The guys that got out yesterday morning had a nice morning bite before they packed up. Buddy figured we lost an inch of ice with Friday night drizzle and warmth. We should have gained some of that back last night. Bob arrived with the Colorado house and fished a couple days his best bite was with a bobber and secret lure. Alaska and Utah also so arrived so we now have most of the fleet here. They are both open this weekend for on shore lodging... We also committed to another ice castle that will be named Texas as its big with a slide out.
We also had a good week of preparing for when we hit the ice. Big Tony was able to get all 8 generators running.
Jonny boy got the red barons tank off. She had a pretty plugged up in tank filter. with some clean gas she fired right up but this time it moves when you give her a little throttle. Now we still have to figure out why it will not stay in 4-wheel drive.
Big Tony and I were able to adjust the pressure on the boss plow. We had a little mis hap but scathed through without a scratch "Knock on wood" Blue thunder also got a new master break cylinder That shored up the breaks.
I did see a few more elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies. Plus, a couple pics of some big pike.
We are again going to have friends help us throughout the winter. Jonny boy will be here as much as his job will allow.
we only have one guest at this time so will see how they did. They were walking so we will see.
Tony boy is heading home for a few days so I'm pretty much on my own to keep plugging away.
Again, We do have Alaska and Utha open for some lodging this coming weekend. Dec 15th
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we have had a few guests this week. The guys staying in alaska did well yesterday. I told themw I would be sending all our customers over in that direction.
Luke and his dad struggled the first days but finally found them yesterday a little closer to shore I be leave.
Paul and Quinten are here. They figured they have been staying with us 7 or 8 years and are the only place they have ever stayed.. That was nice of them to say. They got there 8 yesterday fishing out of there snowbear.
I did not get to talk to Ron and his buddies they have fished here before so I'm sure they found some fish.
We did have a cancelation last night for our montana house. 2 double beds. stove. oven, heat, indoor biffy, electricity.
Hillmans is now allowing side by sides up to 2 miles out. They also have some live music saturday eve.
I still have not gone out on the lake in blue thunder. We're getting closer. I'm hoping we will be able to have the houses in fishable water by Christmas? The long-range forecast is not great, but we may keep making a little ice every evening. Paul and Quinten said they saw a fleet of sleepers out on the ice?
Today I'm going to fart around with the red baron here on the property to just run it some more. Darrin will be up this weekend so I hope we can figure out why she jumps out of 4-wheel drive.
I've seen some more pics of the elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies. Seems they have all been loaners.
Well lets hope for some more cold weather on a grand lake that owes us nothing.
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I'm not sure why but as you get older time fly's buy. None of our guest got skunked last weekend. Jonny boy was able to shuffle a few [people out that did not have transportation..
Jason, melissa, Barb and Andrea had another great time on such a grand lake. They did go home with fish.
Paul and Quinten had there snowbear. They had good fishing in some spots and not so good in others. They commented that most of the ice was at 10 inches. Friday was their slowest day.
The guys that went out sunday morning did well as the fish put on the feed bags. JD and his son were disappointed thay could not stay in Tennessee. I never got to see how they did. Jd sure had a nice machine. Was more of a 4-seater dune buggy. Boy have those machined changed.
Someone named Richard was a no show with not even a phone call. What was weird a s he was so excited when he set his trip up? Duwane and his buddy had a blast and are already planning on coming up again in a week. I never got to see Bin but did message him they did not do so well. They walked out both days. Don and his crew did well. Shawn and his boy left before I could visit them.
Darrin was also here he rented his sleeper to two guys that had called me. Allen and joel. They never paid him. He thought they paid me. We had a few other guests that camped down on the lake shore, with their wheelhouses. I think everyone had a good time.
Jonny boy did get to get out and scout a little bit Saturday. He caught a few. Working out of town is driving him crazy. Just like I was when I first started doing this. When you enjoy what you're doing its not work it's just fun.
I'll be venturing onto the lake with blue thunder tomorrow. Not out to far but just looking around close to shore. I will then have to decide what or if I can get out to at least fishable water. The little cold snap we just had probably made another 1 inch plus.
This darn crazy weather? It warmed up overnight. Buddy Hillman plans on having couple of his smaller sleepers out for the weekend. We do have a couple of our sleepers open on shore again this weekend. If we start getting some houses out customers may have to be shuttled out.
Will play that by ear right now.
Dan and Mel are excited to get up here with their new ice castle.
Some high winds came roaring in late sunday afternoon. A few fishermen got stranded on the other side of a crack that opened up. Sounds like the news made it sound like people were floating around on a hunk of ice. One of my old customers Pat was one that got helped back to shore. The resort was going to collect all the gear that had to be left on the ice and store it for the customers. No one fell in the water that I know of. Just could not get back to shore. The old adage ice is never 100 % safe. With this 48-hour cold snap we had. Hopefully it has locked up all the open water on the lake. We do have some snow that drifted in down at our shoreline so I can give blue thunder and her plow a little work out.
I have also seen a few more elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies. I did have a call from a gentleman in Iowa that heard they were slamming the crappies. Not sure where he heard that? He was a little disappointed when I told him that was not true at this time. Well time and mother nature will determine what we can do the next couple weeks, there was a year we did not get the houses out tell new years. All the owners of the bigger wheel houses are going to have to be patience this year.
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Big Tony
and dusty took Utah out yesterday afternoon with a fish house dolly and dans 4-wheeler. I think Jonny boy gave them a way point that he had saved from previous scouting/fishing They figured they went out about a mile. I had tony give me accurate ice thickness readings. He found anywhere from 11 1/2 inches too just a tad over 12. Everything went smooth. I had talk to them around 7 last night with Tony sending a pick of his four fish and a bonus elusive but still catchable upper red lake crappie. I not huge tech guy when it comes to saving way points, but Jonny boy has it dialed in and can go to any place that we have had good fishing for at least the last 5 years. I'm such old school thinking I can line up looking straight up the river with the biggest tree to the left and the fire tower over there.
Mike and Joany were here for 2 nights they had real good fishing Tuesday getting there keepers. Yesterday was the complete opposite and the fish were finicky. If you moved the bait they were gone.
Darrin was also out there but said it was slow for them when I talked to him last night.
With mother nature not being kind to us I see no possibility of taking and of the bigger houses on the lake any time soon. We do have a 4-wheeler dolly that can take out our two single axle fish houses Utah and Tennessee as long as we stay on our own path and not wonder off willy nilly in any direction. Other than a few cracks that could possibly become pressure ridges this end of the lake has been pretty stable. We may shuttle Brad and his grandpa out Friday, as long as the lake stays stable on this end.
I have been calling all our customers in the books for after Christmas day to see if they would like to bring portables and wheelers and stay on shore. Buddy Hillman has recommended to only go out 3 miles at this time. Sounds like there may be some active cracks at 2 miles Since we team up with him on the ice road I stick to his guidelines with our guests. I was really hoping to get a couple of the sleepers just out in front of our place but not feeling comfortable about that until I see over 13 to 14. It makes it tougher if the customers cannot drive their vehicles out also..
We now have the ice castle we nick named Texas here. We had some guests use it last night on shore to work out any issue that may arise.
I'm going to have to come up with a come on cold cold dance. I'm not a good dancer. Just ask the Hammer.
Christmas to new year's has always been our busiest week, along with all the other resorts and outfitters up here. It never changes you are always battling mother nature up here any time of year.
Well, its that time of day to get something done here on the shores of upper red lake. That owes us nothing but keeps on giving.
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seen any cesnas flying around lately cookie?
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:doah:
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Searching back in my archives 2015 was the year we did not get the houses on the lake until after Christmas. Was fun reading my reports from 8 years ago. I did share one on facebook.
Darrin rolled in with his boss and 2 boys a couple days ago. Darrin headed out with his small homemade sleeper. The first night was on the slow side. Thursday they took the wheeler and portables out a little further and did much better. They did go home with some fish but no elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies.
After tony and Dustin took Utah out with Dans dolly 2 nights in a row. I decided I would let them set it up for Braad and his grampa Rodger. They then took Tennessee out there to spend the night close to them just in case any problems arose. no phone calls last night so everything must have been fine. I really don't like that I cannot go out and check on the customers. Tony and Dustin head home today so I will be going out later today on a wheeler to know exactly where they are for tonight. Dann and Mell also arrived yesterday with the new to them single axel ice castle. They were pumped to get her out on the lake. With Darrin's help they took our customers, a trailer with all the gear, while tony towed Tennessee .
With this late start to the season mother nature has again showed us who is in control. The way I have always looked at these problems and other problem throughout the season it happens for a reason. I may not know why but that's the way I try and look at it. If something breaks on one of the trucks, customers cancel, mother nature picks on us. It all happens for a reason.
It sounded like a few fish were getting caught out there last night Will Mell getting the first fish inn their new house. I'm sure there were a few other first things in their new house last night. I'll find out how everyone did later today.
We have a lot of open houses for camping on shore after Christmas as I had too juggle all the reservation that had to be canceled. A couple are still coming with portables and wheelers with a couple still on the fence. It was quite the task trying to change everything especially with my short time memory interfering. I say I forgot every day and it is very frustrating. I imagine all the outfitters had too do the same thing to their reservation books.
Anyway, We wish everyone a merry Christmas and hope you all get everything you want for ice fishing. Give us a call if you want to camp and get out with the portables and all that new equipment.
cookie and the hammer plus Jonny boy and the rest of the crew Merry Christmas
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The conditions have not changed a whole lot in the last few days here on the shores of upper red lake. As far as I know Hillmans is still allowing side by sides and smaller out to the major crack at 2 miles. Mother nature is not cooperating at all. Saturday eve night we got a hard rain with a steady drizzle all day sunday. I met Dan out by the houses to get Brad and Rodger off the lake. They caught quite a few fish over the slot but managed to take a few fish home. Rodger was here all the way from Huston. He is Brads grampa. this was his second ice fishing trip and he said he loves it. they said they would defiantly be back as they enjoy our service very much. last year they fished Winnie.
Big Tony did manage to get a fat 14 1\2 inch elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. He saved it for the hammer to eat as last year he remembered we wanted a crappie or two for dinner table. It was delicious.
Dan and I got Darrin's house our Tennessee house and their new ice castle back in front of our house in the steady rain. I never have liked working in the rain after 3 1/2 hours I still do not like working in the rain.
The lake seemed to take the rain pretty well. There was water draining down the holes. I did see one hole that was a 8-inch hole and it was now a 11-inch hole as the water whirlpooled into it.
I did just get off the phone with Buddy Hillman. They are allowing side by side and under out to 3 miles. There is a stretch of open water the goes as far as you can see north to south. The strong ne winds last night have open up a giant stretch of open water. That is one of or the reason they all have been recommending no night travel or being off the lake by sunset.
We do have houses open for lodging on shore at this time. I may be able to take Utah and Tennessee back out once I look at the area we want to fish. If we do the customers will have to be shuttled out there on a trailer at this time.
This year is not looking like any other year we have had. Mother nature must have decided upper red lake needed a break from the onslaught of ice houses. Well I need to go get the ice rain off the vehicles. If your headed this way the road is very slick with overnight ice rain. Darrin will be up later today soo we will take a good look at things.
If you follow all the resorts facebook pages I'm sure they are all being updated at this time.
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Be darn careful Cookie.
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Dan and Mel did not do so well out if front of our place they did get 2. Yesterday Darrin rolled in with his cousin. Thay took his smaller homemade house out him and Dan went to try a different spot. They are towing their houses with a wheeler and dolly. If they had no luck last night, I expect they will go look around out further.
Were still not making much ice. I have most of our sleepers still set up on shore and available this coming weekend do to all the cancelations. I would have to imagine most of the other outfitters are also getting cancelation left and right.
Sounds like Jake is headed up for a couple days. We have a door we need to replace on North Dakota. It has become a tradition to work on these projects when it's cold out. Our corner of the lake still seems to be ok. 11 inches of ice and holding at this time. Hillmans is allowing side by side and under to travel out 3 miles with a open crack at 4 miles. I would not recommend driving around after dark. I'm going to have to go on the lake with Darrin's wheeler again today. Getting the itch but still waiting to drive blue thunder on the ice. The first year I have good heat and I'm going out on a 4-wheeler.
Mother nature looks like she might be letting up on her cruelness. Only time will tell.
I have seen some reports of good fishing. She has been pretty quiet up here compared to most years.
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Dan, Darrin finally found a good spot. They did really well wednesday night with Mel catching fish all day thursday.
Jake and Laken fished in our utah house not 30 yards away and caught one big walleye and a little scuffit. Jake is obsessed with the elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie and landed on the mother load, catching 26 during the day using the cheating live scope. He did only keep 4 for a family meal. He did not want to go home.
We moved utah for spence and his buddy and I will be checking on them in a bit.
with everyone staying down at the lake keeping track of names is almost impossible. I know that none have been skunked with some doing better then others.
We still have some lodging on shore for this weekend. Our two biggest house the new ice castle Texas and North Dakota.
I did travel on the lake again yesterday with dan. We toured around so I could get a lay of the lake. Alot of portables out there for sure Dan and Darin shuttled a couple of our guest out the last two days, one couple staying somewhere else had trouble getting the outfit to come get them. After calling 5 times they gave up and started walking when another fishermen gave them a ride in. Let's just say we have a new customer, and these people were not happy.
Darrinn had to take his cousin home but plans on coming back to celebrate new year's here on the shores of upper red lake.
My back has gotten to the point where some kind of surgery could be in the near future as being on my feet more then 15 minutes create extreme pain that causes me to have to sit down to get the pressure off my back.
With mother nature slowly starting to add a little ice we might start seeing 13 possibly 14 by the tenth of January.
we have been finding 11 inches almost everywhere. There have been some of the potholes that froze around 8 or 9. There was also a healed crack less than a foot wide that was 3 inches.
You want to go over them at a 90-degree angle. I have not been down to the lake this morning to see what kind of room we have left. we may be able to start parking a few on the ice edge just over the sandbars. There is a chance that utah will be open tonight and tomorrow on the lake in a fishy area. Having a side by side or wheeler would be a plus to get to the house. A ride could possibly be arranged.
Jonny boy finally got to come home from working out of town. Its driving him crazy not being here. He should at least get his fishing fix the next few days.
I sure would like to go over the lake in a airplane to get a better prospective of the crack and how its shaped and moving around. It will be a while before we start seeing vehicles' om the lake as once you open that fishermen think they can go anywhere. If you try and tell them where not to go it's like it goes right out their ears as they are so excited to be here.
Everyone have a happy new year I believe we will on a grand lake that owes us nothing but just keeps on giving..
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Cookie, might be time to pick up a drone to check on ice conditions. Cheaper then a plane! ;)
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was a hint to someone that owns a plane. I would crash a :thumbs:drone with in minutes :thumbs:
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well it has been a interesting last few days here on the shore and lake the past few days. Putting a ban on all motor vehicles had to be done as to many issues with the ice sheet moving around. Up here on this end we have not any issue yet. all though I take my rentals out of Hillmans and follow buddy hillmans guidelines. He ask do not go out more than 3 miles yet when I went out on the lake with dan there were many fisherpeople well beyond 3 miles?
Buddy has been doing this for a long long time. His dad Shorty worked on ice roads in alaska I believe. He also worked with my dad's brother Wayne up there. If fishermen will not play buy the rules or guidelines it can cause more problems. I say if it does not look right do not try and cross it without a further look. Winds and warm weather can cause the ice to do different things. As tigger says the lake is not singing yet, he also has years of experience on millacs.
We do have the permission to shuffle clints on and off the lake at this time. Big tony and dusty both are set up with trailers.
We also have 2 ice castles out on the lake at this time., Nicky and Zack spent 2 nights out there in Tennessee. They did get a few fish with Nicky catching her first walleye. They are from Michigan so they have a long ride home. from the sounds of last night was pretty slow out there in the area we are fishing.. The boys are going to check some ice to see what other options we have at this time. Curt and his son did not do that good yesterday they did get a couple keepers plus curt got a true 15 1\2 inch elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie They also had a big eelpout on up to the hole before it snapped the line.
The guys took a group out yesterday with their hubs and dropped them off they ended up keeping 10 or as fisherman say "We Got A Couple"
We had a quite a few fisherman staying down at the lake front last weekend for new year's The wheeler Bann was bad news as everyone were catching some fish . With quite a few elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies. Alot of people headed home a couple days early. She been pretty quiet since with very limited action out there. I may be able to drive blue thunder on the lake buy thursday then we can think about getting the fleet over to hillmans highway for the last of the late start to the season.
Dan and Mel are packing up and heading home today, Dan is so much help. They plan on coming back on friday.
Jake set up some younger guys on hos spot he got 26 crappies. The guys gave him a ride in when darrin wheeler would not start. He asks if they catch any try not to keep them all but 50 elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies are no more elusive.
Jake will be back in 2 weeks to help move houses and scout for good fishing for us.
Darrins sister also got a 15 1\2-inch crappie. We still have some fish house lodging on shore this coming weekend. Everyone is hoping this cold weather coming will lock up the lake for the winter. We are allowed to transfer fishpeople out to fishing grounds, but they are not allowed to bring machines out on the ice at this time. We can take some fisherman out but they need to contact me first. 218 556 6197.
Well, it's time to go to work I have a predator generator I need to pull and clean the carb plus a couple oil changes.
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Well, its been a interesting start to say the least. With the sheriff closing down the lake last week most had to improvise to get clients on and off the lake. At first it was no vehicles un tell they surveyed what the conditions exactly figure out where the open water was. This end of the lake has not really had any issue knock on wood. After a couple days they decided outfitters' resorts and their workers would be allowed to shuttle customers out onto the lake. That kept me my help super busy. Dusty Handed most of the potables going out for the day with Tony also helping off and on when he was not shuttling our customers to the houses we have on the ice. Dan and Darrin were also able to haul a few customers out as she was just a little hectic. I even took Barb out with my car when she arrived. Her and melissa were in california fish house. The first night the rattle wheels kept barb up most of the night. The second night was just the opposite? Barb did bring me a chocolate cake for my birthday. somehow they found out my favorite is German chocolate but she said she stopped at 3 places and could not find one. They did go home with a couple fish.
Monatana did not do so well so Jonny boy was nice enough to move them for their second night. They did much better landing and missing quite a few fish taking home 8.
Utah also had a couple days of good fishing. Florida was a little quiet. But they hired the snowbear all 3 days getting spoiled. My cousin and his two buddies came from Colorado. They are avis walleye fisherman. There plans also got changed due to the closure. We were able to get them in there portable to a couple other spots. Where they had good action even catching a few elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies. They also had action on tip ups away from Tennessee . Minnesota has Shawn and his son we also moved him yesterday so will be checking with him in a bit. We're hoping to get the rest of the fleet out on the ice in the next few days. The sheriff said they will be making a new evaluation today. on a grand lake that owes us nothing.
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Well, the shrieff made the big announcement that the lakle was being opened for motor vechicles. Each access has their own agenda on what they will let go on the lake. There all pretty much different. I have to concentrat on Hillmans as thats where we take our houses out of. Thats the road we help on as it has been nicked named the Hillman highway, makes a highway in california look small. You could lane a 747 on it. It's a big job to take care of but Budddy takes alot of pride in that road. You never want totry and gosouth off his roal or you could reget it.
Just like jonny boy has the passion to find the fish. I love all of it most of the time but a more than a few cuss words of been said over the years.
Tony bot and Dustin had to head home for a week as they do drywall and have aproject to take care of. Darrin, Dan, and Jonny boy will be headed up today to replace them for the weekend.
Darrin is a farmer so he gets things done so he can fish as that his passion as well as Dan.
We did make it through the first week on the lake and all and all it was very successful. We now have all the houses on the lake with the ice castles going out from the shoreline today.
Dan and Allen were here monday and tuesday in florida. They ate 7 fish the first day. They had portaables so Dustin tookk them out to another area where they did get a few more fish. I think as my memory is still bothering me.
Scott and is 2 son inlaws were in tenneessee, they only got one fish so we let them switch out to utah,they did have better action there. Dustin was puzzeled why teneessee was slow so he fished in it tuesday and landed 4 before dark. We then let our good friend Lonnie fish it yesterday and he caught his 4 and many many more, Lonnies wife Lisa sends up homemade soup for us so lonnie takes care of us out there. By the way her soups are better the Campbells soup. I think they got there reciept from her.
I have all the houses scattered all over the lake, so it should be a interesting weekend.
Mother nature is still picking onus and now gave us another 2 inches of fluffy snow to deal with. I guess atleast it was not the wet heavier snow. Never saw it coming so I was not able to do my no snow snow dance. Last I read it was going to be less than an inch.
We will have roughly 80 holes to augar. I do not plann on doing any of them as the old back is getting old.
Budddy hillman will be allowing our customers drive to there rentals as long its a 1/2 ton or less. Then they have to follow us to the rentals. He is also allowing single axel towed out by dolly. Dan and darrin said they will tow a few houses in and out for a fee. They just need to call me to get on their list 218 556 6197.
We do have 3 bigger ice castle rentals to take out today with a heavey duty dolly and side by side. I have no idea when bigger rigs we be allowed out as that again is buddy hillmans decision.
My guess could be sometime next week after we see how the weekend goes. There are cones at the end of the highway so that means go no further on such A Grand Lake That Owes Us Nothing! Nothing! as the old timer Dave screamed it out at me. While we were fishing.
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I guess we can start with how the houses did this past weekend and go from there. First some fish means more than 5, a couple can be anywhere from 7 to 12, a few can mean over 15. Anthonys crew were in Texas, she had her first outing on the ice, she is a big heavy house, but she caught a few fish with the first 24 hours better than the next 24.
Old minnesota had our great friend Wayne he had a couple nice runs of perch taking home a couple 9 nice one. Plus, he got his 4 walleyes plus a couple extra released. He thought he had a big big elusive upper red lake crappie it turned out to be a big sheepshead.
Florida had our crew for their 10th year from Iowa. Sarah, Terry, Ken, Carl. they were sharing a generator with a new guest Elibeth and her hubby in montana. She had a camera and saw fish the whole time they were here but could not get them to bite. Carl had a big pike on he said the head was 4 inches wide before it snapped his line, they had a chore after as the fish had gotten all the lines in the house, so they had quite the mess to untangle. Both houses only caught some.
Colorada had mike and I want to say Steave. This was not there first-time fishing together they caught quite a few fish 40 counting some nice perch they also went home with their 8 walleyes. Mike made another reservation in February.
Lisa and her family were in alaska. They caught some fish and took some home but not sure how many as they left early.
Tennessee had his two boys with the 4-year-olds birthday to boot. He wanted to go fishing for his birthday. They left early Monday morning but I did get a thank you message as the boys had a blast catching fish.
Utah also had a couple fish but did not pound them by any means so the first weekend all the houses caught fish.
Darrin and Dan took out about 7 houses out with a dolly. Of course, they all did well. That seems to just be a given Maybe when they get set up the noise is much less then the rentals with all the vehicles activity. Dan and Darrin also got all the house ready Friday. I could never have done any of it without them they busted butt.
Jonny boy did a podcast a week ago so we were able too watch that. He did a great job considering they never went over what they would be asking. It was episode one of many many more it was called On The Road With Ice Castle Ep 1.
Mother nature finally gave what everyone wanted with a nice cold snap. Then she took a deep breath and has blasted us with high with white out conditions. We had a turnover with colorado and north dakota so the guys were out there getting her done.
I had to get wayne off the ice we then spent part of the day putting his car under the parachute with the torpedo. Our 2 set of guests arrived so I escorted them out to meet jonnny boy so he could get them to the houses in such nasty conditions. Buddy hillmans road was doing what it was designed to do. The winds were howling down the road. With no obstacles and so wide. She was pretty clean. Now around all the houses is a different story as I do not want to even see how big the drifts are getting around them. The boys will have to work as a team today to get our houses out of what buddy calls their nests. Sitting up here in the house you would never know how nasty it is out there. I will worry about all the houses tell the boys can get them moved. I'm sure there's 3-foot drift around them all.
I'm sure it looks like the moon surface out there this morning.
As I'm trying to have all the help do any lifting, shoveling, and all the manual work etc. it's very hard to go out there and not have some type of issues. Turning a generator, turning a box, lifting a generator out of a box. lifting gas cans, stringing out a extension cord it's all very hard for me and my back. It's also very frustrating I'm really not sure how I use to do it all other then adrenalin.
Of course, we have to mention the fleet. we will be needing the v plow as the wind packs the drifts rock hard. rusty trusty did not want to start yesterday. Blue thunders plow stopped and started working. black beauty is my driver as I cannot spend all day in blue thunder like I use to and now it has heat. time to check the fluids and fire up the fleet.
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she was a little busy out on the lake this past weekend. For some reason just like most years when we help a wheel house they always seem to do better then the rentals. it has to have something to do with the noise?
We hosted operation freedom outdoors out of Oklahoma. They had 4 houses for the weekend. North dakota, florida, montana, and utah. With all the houses on fresh spots we sure expected better fishing They did get to take home some limits but it was a tough bite. There host plans on bringing another group next year.
Alaska had John the owner of that house and his buddy Alex, Alex did get his personal best a fat 24 inch walleye. They also had slow fish maybe landing a half dozen fish.
Colorado had andy and two red lake rookies. They took home 11 plus a few dandy perch.
Tennessee had Elvis the owner of that house and his cousin they did not do well at all so we did move them to a new location where they had a little better action but only took home a couple fish.
Texas the big ice castle with the slide out also had the owner and his family. Not quite sure what happen there? as my friend Rod I had set up just to the south did real well. Saturday night and sunday morning was excellent fishing catching and releasing fish.
California had Ben and his two boys they did manage to catch a few fish.
Old minnesota was a no show so me and the hammer had dinner out there and fished for a couple hours. I lost a nice fish halfway up om a rattle wheel, the hammer my wife lost a fish on her rod and real then we had a couple more bites on the rattle wheels then packed her in for the night.
Preston rolled in with their wheelhouse later friday night. I gave them a general area to go to. They had real good fishing both nights.
Jonny boy worked on rusty trusty as we broke a cv joint axel. Of course, Napa sold me the wrong part. I even told them I just drove 70 miles are you sure it's the write one. Oh yea they assured me. Not the first time and not the last.
I think the big rumble saturday night was a new crack that formed along buddy hillmans road on the south side. There were a few spots where the ice heaved up 3 feet. Never ever try to cross that south edge of the road. There were a few trucks that tried this past weekend. They had to be pulled out.
Not many elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie caught this weekend that I have heard of.
Ashly came up this weekend with our newest great grandson. That makes 6 generations that have been on such a grand lake.
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It's already been a week since I got to write a report. On the 22nd we spent the day getting all the houses cleaned and pulled out of there spots. My brother Warren from Indiana arrived monday evening. It's been over 2 years since he has been able to come enjoy this grand lake the still owes us nothing. We had a lot of great laughs. He is very smart and very witty. Jonny boy found the crappie mother lode so we moved old minnesota right where he found them.
Warren checked into old minnesota. Jonny came a knocking and said get out here. Warren got to stand in one hole and catch 11crappies in a row using the strikecheating 3000 fish eliminator. Yes that is what i call the live scope the poor fish do not have a chance. We also went and got our customers from Tennessee so they could enjoy the mother load. With chris running the stikecheating 3000 fish eliminator he called out which hole to drop a line in or auger another hole. With 6 guys running around warren stood at the same hole with no bait landing a few? 11 elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies while sipping his expensive whiskey. I also got in on the action getting some? 4. Warren and I kept 7 for a dandy fish fry. We also fished in old minnesota 3 nights in a row catching very few fish and no crappies 30 feet away from where warren caught the 11 and I caught the 4. Crazy lake.
Jale rolled in tuesday. Again, as always, he is possessed with also finding the elusive crappy mother lode. He again found a smaller group of fish. Then they then did the same thing Chris gave direction while everyone else caught fish. I think I may have gotten my biggest ever, but I did not measure her. We did get a great pic and let her go a little more educated. Jake kept a couple so we had a second crappy fish fry.
Barb was here in california where she only caught a couple keeper walleyes.
Norm and his crew came wednesday thursday and the only caught a couple walleyes.
Bingo was here for one night and only got a couple. Ole also spent one night having terrible fishing. Thursday was all hands-on deck as we had turnovers plus new guest coming in.Joe and his dad were here in montan plus chris and his wife and baby were in utah. There friends so we kept them together. Chris and his family caught quite a few perch, Joe and his dad just got a couple fish so we moved them to a new area that had good fishing a week ago. That move also did not pan out. With all the houses on fresh spots for the weekend she was pretty slow with none of the houses having the hot hand ERRRRR,
Jonny boy did take Bob and his crew out with there side by side and portables They just hammered the fish where you can only get to by wheeler or sled due to a nasty pressure ridge.
To all our guest coming the rest of the year if you can bring some portables, and machines we can direct you or possible take you to some possible outstanding fishing on such a grand lake that owes us nothing.
This coming weekend we still have old Minnesota, Utah, and Texas open feb 2nd 3rd. We also have Montana open saturday night.
Jonny boy had his appendix removed monday so he is out of Commision for at least a few days.
Darrin,Dusty possibly jonny boy? may be able to shuttle customers out over the pressure ridge to unfished territory as getting over it with trucks may not even happen this year.
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Those big crappies sound like a blast.
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Will try and make this short and sweet. Dusty was able to take his relatives out over the pressure ridge and catch quite a few different species of fish. We had off and on guest all week with very limited results. We mark fish and see them on the cameras, but they refuse to take anything we offer. The schools of crappies we were catching became very skittish. As soon as you pinpoint them, they race away? All those releases have educated them. We may have to get in on the action by keeping more for the frying pan and wall?
I have spent every year the last 20 years targeting the elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. Some of the nights have been amazing over the years.
I do not remember the year. The hammer and I were spending the night in old minnesota. Jake had the motherlode go under his house the night before. The hammer and I had caught a couple that evening while we were having a nice dinner. I set up one of my rods with a pepsi can that would tip over if I had a bite. The hammer had her hole with the vexlar. I had the corner rattle wheel tipped with a waxie and the hole next to the pepsi can set with a bobber and a open bail. About 4.30 am I heard the pepsi can fall. I got up in my underwear. The bobber was gone also. I set the hook and pulled up a elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. I walk over to the hammer and said honey there biting very quietly. I grabbed her vex put it down the hole and it lit up like a christmas tree. I reeled in the one that the bobber was down. As I fought that fish the line broke. I grabbed the first rod , tipped it with a minnow I drooped it down. it just kept going. I set the hook and another crappie was out of the hole. I again said in a low voice honey there biting. The third one hit the minnow as it was going down. As I brought that one in he was a huge one he had ingulfed the jig. Trying to get the hook out I broke the line now I did not have a rod. I went over to the hammer and in a louder voice I said honey there biting. As I held the fish in front of her. She opened her eyes looked at her rod started reeling it in and said. Hey where's my vexlar. Then she said I need a minnow. I grabbed the vex grabbed a minnow . She dropped her line in while I turned and thought shoot I do not have a rod ready too go. I looked at the rattle wheel. As I stepped to bring it in and switch to a minnow she says I got one. I quickly took care of that got her another minnow. She got her line down while I took the waxies off the rattle wheel line. Just as I put the rattle wheel back in the water and as it went down she again said I got one. As I dealt with that the rattle wheel never stopped and I had another top side while I also helped her again. It was just crazy fishing! At some point I was able to get another jig on my rod. I had been throwing the fish in a cooler full of water. It was nonstop action one after the other until I said I better see how many we have as the cooler was packed! We were closing in on 20 fish. All this happening in my underwear and the hammer in her jammies at 4.30 in the morning. I will never forget that action as A grand lake that owes us nothing gave us one of the grandest times. Ice fishing in old minnesota.
The crew is out on the ice moving all the houses for the weekend, maybe someone else will have that magical moment.
We will keep moving the houses looking for good fishing.
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Well it was a very good weekend for fishing. Making the rounds Saturday evening was a treat to check into every house as the fish were finally cooperating in a new area we had reached.
The whole crew came together saturday morning to get the whole fleet over the active pressure ridge. With the warm temps the ice has been expanding causing the pressure ridges to heave up. Sunday morning was all hands-on deck as we gathered chippers and chainsaws to knock her down. We first thing we had to pull the bridge, then it was manual labor as the crew chain sawed and chipped her down level. It now sounds like we will be heading out this morning to find another place to cross. At this time buddy Hillmans is not allowing wheel house to go across. That could change but mother nature needs to cooperate and give us some colder weather to lock things up.
There were some fish caught in the houses, some means more than 5? Other houses caught a couple which means over ten? Then there were others that caught a few which is over 15?
Old minnesota had the hammers sister shell chic. Plus we were able to get the wife's mom out Sandra. The hammer joined them to spend the night on the ice. They did get some the first night with a mix of walleye perch and a some crappies. The second night I joined them for the bewitching hour. We broke out the fish call, set it on nighttime crappie, within less then 2 minutes the hammer had a nice elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. The shell chick got in on the action also landing one. Sandra got a beautiful 18-inch walleye.
Shell chick spent the night out there. and had a little more action over night. They went home with a mess of fish.
Elvis was in Tennessee. He had a fantastic night as the motherlode of elussive yet still
catchable upper red lake crappies came through. He figured in two days he landed 24 He kept 3 for a fish meal and also kept a couple more for our fish fry saturday eve,
I had the whole crew trying to get enough for our fish fry.
Luke and his crew only landed one elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. They did get enough walleyes for dinner saturday night. They decided to spend another night and caught some more walleyes to take home.
Florida had Rollie and Kevin for I be leave the 11th year, same house, same dates. They took home 6 walleyes,12 perch and released a 40 inch pike.
We kept that house on this side of the pressure ridge.
Montana was a open house so Heather and Jonny boy spent Saturday night in there. They only fished a bit but got 4 nice keeper walleyes.
Mike had alaska with his crew they also had good fishing plus they went out exploring and landed quite a few elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie's. We try to encourage our customers to not take limits of these elusive fish. These fish have a special place in my heart as a well as Jake, Jonny boy and the rest of my crew. I never stopped chasing them and have always kept our houses out after walleyes closed. I think every year our houses have been the last to come off the lake. I have had some crazy nightmares over the years. I have dreamed more then once going down to the lake and its wide-open water and all the houses are out there floating around on a sheet of ice somewhere.
Colorado had Colby , Eric and there 3 boys. I showed them how to eat a minnow, the one said ahh I'm going to puke. Zakia yells give me a minnow. He put it in his mouth sucked it in like a spaghetti noodle and swallowed it. His dad recorded it and we all cheered when he opened his mouth with no minnow. they all had a blast catching a few fish.
Utah had Jason and his 2 boys they went hole hopping and got a nice mixed bag of fish.
Texas had Lisa, Darrin's sister she had a few kids with her. They also got a couple fish to take home. Dan and Mel had real good fishing as well as mike and Wendy and Darrin.
There was a horrible accident sunday east of shooks. Prayers to all the family's. Please if your going through waskish slow down and do not pass over the double lane there are over 40 driveways and roads through town. Drives me crazy.
Our big ice castle Colorado canceled for the up-and-coming weekend. Feb. 8 9 10. We also have old minnesota open at this time.
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3 years doing this here on the shores of upper red lake. Every year mother nature seems to give us something different. With all the warm temps we were lucky the fog and clouds kept the sun from doing his damage. The rain we had last week had me a little worried as the water was going down the holes like a toilet being flushed over and over and over. We did drill some extra holes around some houses to stop all the water going down just one hole. When the temps dropped the water slowed down by morning most of the water was gone other than some spots the water was too deep to freeze in one night. As of yesterday, I would say 99 percent of any standing water has refrozen. I did see just a couple holes that were close to be big enough for a tire drop in. There really is no way to check every inch of ice out there so that's why they say ice is never 100 percent safe. In the last week I have not measured any thing under 19 inches. Hillmans bridge again. Finding a good spot was quite the chore as the pressure ridge had gotten quite a bit wider. You could see why Buddy Hillman did not want wheelhouses to go over it as some would have been stranded up to 6 hours as that's about how long it took to find and prep a new spot. We were able to still get to our clients, but it was around about way. This past weekend three vehicles tried to cross the south side of hillman's highway. When it cracked and sank it basically created another pressure ridge. As I have said over and over for years if it doesn't look right don't drive over it. All three had to be jerked out.
Now for the fishing report I had heard that a few wheelhouses that set up a lot shallower caught quite a few fish over the weekend.
Our houses all did very well with most catching more than a few. We did get our old friend ole to come up before the rain and he was just tickled pink to catch 10 elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies Plus his 4 walleyes. It made up for the previous week when he had gotten skunked.
I was able to enjoy old Minnesota a couple times even landing a couple fish.
Jonny boy and his sweetheart heather\feather fished old minnesota catching a few of the ever elusive but still catchable upper red lake crappies. She managed to set the hook and land 7.
North dakota had Tony and his family they took home their limit of walleyes plus a couple bonus crappies.
Florida has Jessica and her son and his friend they have caught a variety of fish all three days. Austin her son wants her to by florida fish house.
Boar and his wife were in Montana Boar figured they caught more than a few fish over 50.
Colorado had Kyle and his buddy's they had fantastic fishing.
Tn had Steve and Magen they only landed 15 fish but did miss quite a few.
Texas did the worst off all the houses? They had a grand time anyway.
Utah has Britt and his dad they caught fish the first night saturday and planned on keeping fish last night. Let's hope that plan works.
Friday was a chore trying to bank the house as all the snow was gone. As the temps dropped, we did get a little bit of snow but good old mother nature had to throw in 25 mile per hour winds.
Now looking at the extended forecast we will start making more ice by Wednesday, Thursday. We do have Tennessee open next weekend plus some houses open during mid-week and next. The big game fish season has only 12 nights left, wow what a crazy winter.
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ow just 7 evenings of big game fish left for the season. Mother nature sure threw us a couple curves this year. With record warmth, lack of snow, rain, 4 degrees this morning.
the fishing went from great to just so so for all our houses.
Colorado probably had the best fishing of the fleet. They caught 15 walleyes 4 elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies, a couple perch they also missed 18 fish.
Darrin did get 9 elusive upper red lake crappies Saturday night. plus 5 walleyes and quite a few scuffits. I have always said if your getting very small walleyes the crappies are in the area.
Texas had decent fishing thursday then she fizzled out.
California had a few fish, The guys in alaska and utah went with the snowbear friday and it was ugly only landing 3 fish, sounds like he did much better saturday.
I set Rod up with his wheelhouse they did get a couple elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies 4 plus a few walleyes.
Old minnesota has just done all right, Heather did get an elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. She also lost a big walleye at the hole. They love the charm of old minnesota and I expect to see them again.
Tennessee just did so so with 2 elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies and 5 walleyes.
North dakota and florida had rick, lenny, len jr.and Mike? those two houses had the poorest fishing only getting a handful of fish.
Montana had Jason and his two boys they also managed to get a few fish but nothing to brag about.
Yesterday I drove from this end of the lake all the way to rodgers in black beauty 1\2ton truck in 2-wheel drive. I cannot believe all the area that looks like no one has fished all year. There is a area I would like to get to I have been trying to get back to that area for years. This may be the year. Jake will be coming up towards the end of the week. I going to talk him into going out there with me if mother nature cooperates.
I have been reading all the archive's from years ago. 2015 was the year we pounded on the elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie, that was the year we all had the magical fishing that this grand lake can offer.
Watching all these fishermen with the cheatmaster3000 fish eliminator as my brother and I call it. The poor crappies do not have a chance. I know we sure would like to keep catching them for the next 20 years. The hammer and I sometimes will keep 3 with noodles and veggies is enough with left over fish. My personal opinion if you harvest fish with the cheatmaster 3000 fish eliminator you should at least only be able to keep half your limit. Watching 6 guys keep 60 is tough to swallow. The dnr does not manage this lake for these special fish she is a walleye lake. They have been doing a fantastic job with the walleyes in my opinion. I never expected to see trophy walleyes.
We're hoping to do some tip up pike fishing the next few days as it's always fun to tie into a big fish.
We have a few open houses for the week and a full house the last weekend of big game fishing. Our plans are the same as every year for the past 23 years to stay out looking for the mother lode of the elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. Will have to keep a eye on the pressure ridges, plus have some back up plans for getting the fleet home. Yesterday the crew and buddy hillman had to move the bridge again. I can see why he does not want wheelhouses going over it as they spent close to 2 hours chopping and giving the trucks a good workout. It now sounds like they are again working on it out there at this time.
I also plan on fishing every night just to enjoy the relaxation. Might even talk the hammer into spending the night out there on a grand lake that owes us nothing.
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Sounds fun Cookie.
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Yesterday we spent most of the day getting the fleet out front of our place. The biggest obstacle was pulling them across the pressure ridge. I would guess the pressure ridge bridge was moved over 15 times the last couple weeks. Anyware from 3 to 5 or 6 guys at a couple hours a time that roughly 150 hours of manpower.
Traveling on the ice at night was also a obstacle this year with lack of snow. Many of our customers had to be escorted back to the bridge as there was never really a plowed marked road as we had to negotiate around and through piles of broken refrozen ice fields.
I towed old minnesota home in blue thunder. She sure needs another tune up and some exhaust work. She has gotten quite a bit louder. We did scratch out another year out of old Minnesota. Ole and I fished out there last wednesday catching a couple 4 crappies and a limit of keeper walleyes. Wayne and I fished over the weekend we landed a few 15 walleyes some
2 elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies, 2 giant mooneyes. I also lost quite a few fish throughout the week and weekend. We need to replace the whole runner system into steel if we want to have her out on the ice again. I even spent sunday night out there getting woken up 3 or 4 times from the rattle wheels. Having the house over the pressure ridge took a lot of worry away and I did sleep well last night not having any customers on the lake.
The first group that had north dakota got here early Tuesday it was so nice out they fished outside. I told them what I knew, and they landed 17 elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies. They landed a couple more the next day in the same area.
Thursday we hauled her another 1 1/2 miles west with montana. Jake had a crew looking for the motherlode of the elusive yet still catchable upper red lkae crappies. Jake figured they landed and released over a hundred with just a couple meals kept. I think each house got one overnight.
We had Scott had his family in Tennessee and Utah they hit the motherlode last year but this year was quite a bit slower. They had 7 or eight people so they were able to eat some fish.
Don with Lee and Tiffny outdoor show The Crush from Iowa,
also came up again .Him and his buddy also ate fish both days and took home a limit.
Mike and his crew were also back again. They only caught walleyes but had a grand weekend on a grand lake.
I set up Rod again in his ice castle for the weekend with my bob, rick and john plus 2 other ice castles. Rods house got 6 elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies. Plus they all took home there walleye limit.
Colorado also went out with Jake and crew looking for the motherlode. They also caught some nice fish out of the house.
Our plans at this time as to take most of the fleet back to some areas we have had success catching crappies in the past for this coming weekend. I would say we got close to 7 inches of snow with high winds. Tony headed home as well as Darrin so it's me, dusty and jonny boy.
I'll wait another week before we thank all our new and repeat customers this year. All and all this past week has had some great end of the season walleye fishing.
We could not have done any of this without all the help from the crew from Jonny boy, Big Tony, Dusty, Darrin and his truck. Dan and his plow truck with Mell cooking the crew many breakfast's Thank you so so so much guys. I could never have carried on without all your help
Jonny boy will be guiding the rest of the season searching for the mother lode of the elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies. Here is his direct number 218 508 7036.
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Cookie., I seen on the book of faces a picture of a huge ice pile on red. For the life of me I can't think of who posted it but think it was on the north end.
How's the ice holding up in your neck of the woods?
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(https://tinypix.co.uk/images/2024/03/05/FB_IMG_1709606344072.md.jpeg) (https://tinypix.co.uk/image/FB-IMG-1709606344072.fp64)
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Yep, that's the one :happy1:
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the wind we had last sunday, monday did that. Its amazing what mother nature can do. The whole pressure ridge we were bridging completely changed
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Is that open water in the background? Surprised that didn't happen to the ice up here too with that wind.
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Is that open water in the background? Surprised that didn't happen to the ice up here too with that wind.
:scratch: my guess would be a tree line!!!!
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Is that open water in the background? Surprised that didn't happen to the ice up here too with that wind.
:scratch: my guess would be a tree line!!!!
Oh ya. Good guess.
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nope was not open water. sounds like the narrows may be open
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yesterday may have been the last hurrah for me. I jumped in with jonny boy in his razor to go on a crappie hunt using a cheatmaster 3000 fish eliminator. Mark and Carry also tagged along as we headed out off of our landing. Jonny boy has been out on the lake almost everyday since we brought the houses home. They have had some epic days of fishing as Andy would say. I have to admit that using that machine can be a lot of fun. The first couple spots we checked before the pressure ridge we fought all year at 4 1\2 miles. Scanning the first 2 spots we saw nothing. On the third stop we saw a small school of the elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. The poor fish did not have a chance as we were able to auger right on top of them. The fish were spooky and scattered the first holes we augured. They did not go far as some trickled back in to hammer my chartreuse rattling flyer with no bait. I banged out 3 in a row as fast as I could run the lure down. I had my 3 I wanted to keep in less then 2 minutes after I started fishing. The third one inhaled the lure, As I tried to get the treble hook out of its throat my vex was still lit up like a christmas tree. By the time I got my line back down they were gone just like that. Mark did miss a couple and Carry got one. After scanning around a little bit more they were just magically gone. I have a theory that they just hunker down in low spots. Thinking as in the past how you can catch fish out of one hole but 2 feet away you cannot mark a fish? We loaded up and headed out to check another area. After a couple more scans we arrived at the pressure ridge. Man did the high winds a week ago change the pressure ridge. She broke up and changed the whole thing, just amazing how chunks of ice the size of a car 20 inches thick can be stacked up. It looked like if you took your time and checked you could now find a spot to cross without a bridge. I guess we could of used that big wind months ago we might not have had to move the bridge sometimes 2 or 3 times a day. Jonny boy had a spot they found after the big winds to cross. We got to where we had some great fishing the last weekend of the season. Again, auguring a couple holes and scanning nothing. We kept heading west, about the fourth spot we checked there she was the motherlode of the elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. 2 huge schools again they were very skittish and kept moving away from us. I would say after chasing them around for 20 minutes they came back to some of the holes we had already augured. Just like that it was game on for the guys. I ended up keeping a fourth that again inhaled my lure. Jonny boy also got his fishing equipment out to catch a few for himself. I would guess I missed way more then I caught as they would charge up and take your lure still going up. I lipped quite a few from that. We ended up staying in that area the last 2 hours of fishing. Mark and Carry got there 10 a piece, Jonny boy kept 3 and I kept 4 for a total of 27 elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies. With no wind and the sun shining almost 60 degrees we headed back to shore. The landing's are starting to get a little muddy as the shoreline ice begins to melt. I'm not sure when we may be able to keep getting out. Back in the heyday we were water skipping my sled out onto the good ice. I even got the hammer on the back of my sled once. Of course, when we got out there, they had quit biting. Coming back as we were approaching the open water my sled sputtered as I hit the throttle. It was to late too abort so I feathered it a bit, she took off and we screamed across the water. When we got to shore the hammer said in a pretty loud voice never again.
I expect I will be hearing from Jake, as he comes home from the oil fields. He is possessed with these special fish. Big Tony and Darrin mentioned they would also like to get back up for one last hurrah on a grand lake that owes us nothing.
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Hey Cookie. How did the town hall meeting go about the tribe trying to get all of upper red? Any new info?
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So this will be more about asking for everyone's support. If you have not heard the red lake nation has taken steps federal and state to acquire all of red lake and a 1 mile buffer zone around the lake. They would take big bog state park, the boat ramp access Plus the red lake state forest. I beleave there top priority is getting control of the lake. This has put a emotional toll on all it effects. Our best bet is to start asap e- mailing or calling as many of the state senators and reps from your districts and others districts as well. If they were rewarded a mile around the lake we would lose our home, business, and waskish would basically be gone. There would be no access to the lake .
This is a small community. This effects every hunter,fishermen,and visitor to the area.
My great grandpa Norman came here in 1909 and homesteaded here. my grandmother Olga was born and raised here. She lived her entire life here 92 years. She raised 3 children here. My dad John was going home to bemidji from waskish when he was tragically killed in a car accident. He was only 38 years old. This winter we had our great grandson here to make it 7th generation. This is Mary K Kunesh 39 dfl. Anyone in here district needs to call and or email her. even if you are not in her district call or email to oppose the land back bill 651 296 4334. This is 34 dfl John a Hoffman 651 296 4154 Grant Hauschild 03 dfl 651 296 1789 all the support we can get would greatly be appreciated.
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I sent 5 emails to state and fed reps about the land and gambling.
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i havent heard anything from Demuth yet....... i'll be sending emails to Koblochar and Smith at the fed level. also gov office and AG office. wouldnt hurt for me to send one to Emmer also !!!!!
there all D's so........ :pouty: from what i'm hearing..if you dont live in there district they dont respond. :bonk:
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Here is a link to Mary Kunesh it is to the website and you have to fill out a form to send a message. I sent one.
https://www.senate.mn/members/member_bio.html?mem_id=1242
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Stauber and Klobesher responded to me.
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LPS.....can you give an example of what you sent?
I'll change it so it doesn't look like the same copied over and over.
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I said that I am completely against giving any land away to anyone either at White Earth or Red Lake. I also want the gambling issue revisited and that when sports gambling occurs and it will occur, that I want it run by the State and that we need a few State run casinos.
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We have a couple of locals from Cookie's neck of the woods up here taping and mudding the drywall in our new offices. They told my coworker that there were so many people that showed up at the meeting last night that they needed to reschedule it to a bigger place.
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Stauber and Klobesher responded to me.
and.....what did they say??????/ :blablabla: :blablabla: :blablabla: would be my guess!!!! :rotflmao:
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this is the letter my brother wrote.
Dear XXXX
My name is Warren Halvarson and I am writing you to voice my vehement opposition to your calls to cede the remainder of Upper Red lake to the Chippewa tribe. My family has continuously lived and maintained a property on the shores of Upper Red Lake, in Waskish, for over 100 years and at least 6 generations.
The family property is a symbol of our ancestors overcoming enormous homesteading hardship and their attempt at obtaining the American Dream. My grandfather, John Halvarson, died of spinal meningitis after clearing land to make it suitable for farming. My grandmother lived alone and persevered on her own for 40 years after her husbands death. She welcomed many visitors over the years to enjoy her hospitality and the beauty of the area. My father John Halvarson died in a tragic car accident in Bemidji in the early 1970s and our family property is the only tangible thing that remains of his memory.
I have countless memories of swimming in Red Lake with my grandmother, cousins and siblings. Countless memories of campfires and enjoying the awe inspiring gallery of stars overhead. Countless hours spent fishing and communing with mother nature in all her splendor. A price cannot be put on the sentimental value that the lake and the surrounding wilderness has in our hearts.
While I can appreciate the intent of the perceived virtuous pursuit of appeasing the native tribes. They already control the majority of Upper & Lower Red Lake. Any attempt by you or any other officials to change existing agreements, treaties and boundaries is in my opinion Unconstitutional and profoundly unjust to people that have lived on the lake over the last 100+ years.
Please consider the economic impact of removing the area from general visitation. Please consider the emotional impact on the families that currently live there and make their living there. Please remember the profound beauty of the lake and general area is a gift for countless future visitors to cherish and behold. Sequestering this resource to a few designated few is discriminatory in nature and robbing the greater population of it’s grandeur.
Two wrongs don’t make a right. Let the natives hold what they have already and let the people who homesteaded the area keep their homes and rights. That is the right thing to do. We must all learn how to live together in peace and harmony,
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We have a couple of locals from Cookie's neck of the woods up here taping and mudding the drywall in our new offices. They told my coworker that there were so many people that showed up at the meeting last night that they needed to reschedule it to a bigger place.
Good I hope it is a really big showing. If I could I would be up there too
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That's a great write up Cookie, you guys up there are not fighting alone. Looking forward to seeing you for years to come.
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was able to track down this e mail to our waltz. not sure if he will even reply I have had other sens and reps email me back that say there against these bills
Tim.waltz@state.mn.us
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was able to track down this e mail to our waltz. not sure if he will even reply I have had other sens and reps email me back that say there against these bills
Tim.waltz@state.mn.us
good luck with that cookie......with a Native American as his Lt. Gov!!!!!! :doah: i have no faith in that SCHMUCK whatsoever! he makes me puke when i see him on the toobe! :pouty:
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was able to track down this e mail to our waltz. not sure if he will even reply I have had other sens and reps email me back that say there against these bills
Tim.waltz@state.mn.us
good luck with that cookie......with a Native American as his Lt. Gov!!!!!! :doah: i have no faith in that SCHMUCK whatsoever! he makes me puke when i see him on the toobe! :pouty:
#METOO!!!!
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yea our system is a joke I have gotten back messages in email. We value what your opinion but if your not from my district. you will be put on the bottom of my list. Makes you want to puke. Bunch of crooks :angry2:
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Unfortunately we vote for the lesser of two evils. Some people keep voting the wackos right back in every time.
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I got the same line of BS from a few of OUR state senators from the Duluth and Rochester areas last year when I emailed them and told them I thought they shouldn't pass anymore gun control laws. Pretty much "you're not a constituent so pack sand up your _ss." Cute. :angry2:
Keep digging everyone. There's a bill outlawing lead EVERYTHING in St. Paul now. Bullets, shotgun shot and sinkers. :angry2:
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I will start with a fishing report since I know someone that went fishing on friday and what thy caught. Jonny boy escorted Darrin, big tony and 2 young ones Mason and Major. Tony did bring the cheatmaster 3000 fish catching machine. Most say you still have to get them to bite. The area they fished; I think someone with upper red lake knowledge could have found them without the machine. Jonny boy shared a video of them catching the ever-elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies. It looked pretty exciting for all involved. It sure set off many memories of landing on the motherlode. Upper red lake has given who knows how many fisher people the best fishing of their life. I'm not kidding either. Let's hear some stories! on the facebook pages. Back in the 80s we were here visiting grama Olga enjoying our time here eating, fishing, swimming, The hammer, I and my good friend the Greek. "Grama gave him that nickname because he gave her some some greek seasoning salt ! She also gave me my nickname Cookie when I was just a baby. Anyway back to the fishing story we were trolling spinners because that was the best way. The hammer and greek were catching left and right I could not get a bite. After they had caught many fish, I finally had the big one. It was fighting so good. as we scooped it up, I caught a rock with a little hole in it the hook had gone right in it.
The next day was quite the opposite as I had the hot hand as they both struggled to catch a fish. It might not have been the best fishing that weekend, but it is one of a million stories to remember and share.
I've caught my biggest crappie here, the hammer has caught her biggest who knows how many others have? I have caught my biggest pike here as well as the hammer. She has also caught here biggest walleye her on a grand lake that owes us nothing.
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Fun read, thanks Cookie.
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So this will be more about asking for everyone's support. If you have not heard the red lake nation has taken steps federal and state to acquire all of red lake and a 1 mile buffer zone around the lake. They would take big bog state park, the boat ramp access Plus the red lake state forest. I beleave there top priority is getting control of the lake. This has put a emotional toll on all it effects. Our best bet is to start asap e- mailing or calling as many of the state senators and reps from your districts and others districts as well. If they were rewarded a mile around the lake we would lose our home, business, and waskish would basically be gone. There would be no access to the lake .
This is a small community. This effects every hunter,fishermen,and visitor to the area.
My great grandpa Norman came here in 1909 and homesteaded here. my grandmother Olga was born and raised here. She lived her entire life here 92 years. She raised 3 children here. My dad John was going home to bemidji from waskish when he was tragically killed in a car accident. He was only 38 years old. This winter we had our great grandson here to make it 7th generation. This is Mary K Kunesh 39 dfl. Anyone in here district needs to call and or email her. even if you are not in her district call or email to oppose the land back bill 651 296 4334. This is 34 dfl John a Hoffman 651 296 4154 Grant Hauschild 03 dfl 651 296 1789 all the support we can get would greatly be appreciated.
For those of you on Facebook, there is a Facebook group named "Opposition To Upper Red Lake Proposed Bill HF4780 & SF5080". I encourage you to search for the group and join it. There is lots of information being shared. My family has had a cabin in Waskish for over 60 years. My grandparents, parents, aunt, and sister all own cabins. My parents and I also own 40 acres in Pine Island State Forest. This impacts many more people than us. We need to fight this crazy land grab! You can find the petition that is gathering signatures who oppose this. Please sign the petition the post and link should be pinned at the top of the comments in the Facebook group. Or here is a direct link: https://www.change.org/p/oppose-the-passage-of-proposed-bills-hf4780-and-sf5080-in-minnesota?utm_content=cl_sharecopy_37943293_en-US%3A7&recruiter=230626976&recruited_by_id=8bdecee0-b32e-11e4-a7af-1d2782b84a86&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink&utm_campaign=psf_combo_share_initial&utm_term=psf&share_bandit_exp=initial-37943293-en-US Thanks!
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Joined. Thanks Outdoors Junkie
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I'm in too. Thanks
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Me too & donated to the circulation of the petition.
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I'm in also.
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Me too
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Well, a little good news. Writing our senators and reps has paid off for now. The bills have been tabled which means they suspend
consideration of a bill indefinitely. That sounds like it could be presented again but not this year. I feel we still need to keep a eye on what the federal level is doing. We all need to keep letting Amy Klobuchar www.klobuchar.senate.gov Also Tina Smith. smith.senate.gov let them know how we feel.
We encourage all to join upperredlakeassn.com.
This news from the beginning upset quite a few people. I know it was always burning on my mind. It also has made me think about all the times I've been here starting in 1966. My mom left our step farther Carl and we came up here from Colorado in a 1956 lite purple Cadillac. We left when he was not around, so he had no idea where we had gone. We arrived here sometime in the early summer. Every day we could we were playing in the lake it was so much fun on the real windy days. We would run full speed into the water tell it made us fall down. I hate to say I'm too old for that now. We also had our uncle Pete and aunt Bertha next door. I do not know how but we were all small enough to crawl through the culverts in the ditch. My real dad came up at some point, so he was able to take me fishing. I would get seasick and crawl up in the bow of the boat. Sometimes I would throw up chumming in the water. My dad encouraged me to keep pucking as it helped the bite. We also got to meet our cousin Stan. He was maybe 12 13 years old. For some reason he took me, my sister and another kid fishing. At some point we ran out of gas way out in the middle of the lake. So we were trying to ore back as a storm was coming. We were getting pushed around in the waves and lost one of the ores. We had no clue we were in any danger. At some point we lost the other ore. Then after a while one of the ores came next to the boat. We were laughing throwing minnows at each other splashing each other. That's probably how we lost the oars. Then what seemed out of nowhere a big boat pulled up and rescued us. We did not even know we needed to be rescued. When we got back here, we wanted to go down and play in the big waves. It was a firm no. That was 58 years ago.
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Good news and cool stories Cookie!
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thanks for all the support. This land back movement needs to be figured out its happing all over the united states. The redlake nation should be proud they were able to stay. Some other tribes got taken to Oaklahoma, Forida. Others got completely wiped out.
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What's done is done. Good gawd.
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What's done is done. Good gawd.
X1,000,000,000 Barry!!!!!!
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Some folks just aren't seeing all these crazy move are being done by Dem's to keep them in power.
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Not all Dems, just the two that quickly did it without any discussion. Blindsided them all both parties.
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Top priority for MTG & her buddies..............https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/republican-lawmakers-introduce-bill-rename-dulles-airport-donald-trump-rcna146027. :doah:
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Top priority for MTG & her buddies..............https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/republican-lawmakers-introduce-bill-rename-dulles-airport-donald-trump-rcna146027. :doah:
You mean like renaming schools, Lakes, parks, sports teams, food product boxes, streets, roads and giving away 1000's of acres of public land. They will never rename the Air port to Trump, it's a joke. :bonk:
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Some folks just aren't seeing all these crazy move are being done by Dem's to keep them in power.
:scratch: So obviously, you think 1 party might knowingly do something that would help the other party gain control? :doah:
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Some folks just aren't seeing all these crazy move are being done by Dem's to keep them in power.
:scratch: So obviously, you think 1 party might knowingly do something that would help the other party gain control? :doah:
No I'm just sharing facts that have already happened by one party, to rumors that may happen by another.
Tampons in boys school restrooms, giving 1000 of acers of public land away, calling Easter the day of Trans visibility, man in womans sports, man using girls lockrooms and restrooms, open borders, on and on and on.................................. are all from one party and for why? To get hard working middle class Americans votes?
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Leech is a 100% correct I have been saying it for a long time now. The DFL has been taking over by the left. They are no longer the working mans party. There are very few moderates anymore. Just look at where all this crazy stuff comes from and gets passed just start at the state level and look at all the crazy stuff they have passed with their trifecta. You all talked about being taxed on SS. The Rs pushed to eliminate it last year and the Ds said no as they spent a 19 billion surplus. Now they are saying we will be in a deficit in the next couple of years. All this woke garbage they push is all the Ds. Just observe what policies they are constantly pushing. All the green garbage. Making everyone get EVs that most don't want. On and on. Yes, the are some extreme in the Rs to. That I get. All I am saying is just really look at what the Ds are pushing. It is not good for us.
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At least you admit that there's radicals on the right too, JB. But I'm sure it's not very many in St Paul & I agree much of the DEI stuff has gone too far. Just to be clear here................I did sign the petition against giving the tribe URL.................& I think I even gave 'em a few $ to help circulate it too. But I'm not going to even start on all the :bs: that MTG & the Crazy 8 has done in DC. :doah:
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I do admit it Gunner. Always have.